Comets complete sweep of Olympians

SAN MARCOS, CA (3/12/2024) -- Two days after sweeping the Grossmont College Griffins, Palomar College swept San Diego Mesa College 2-0 to stand alone at the top of the PCAC standings. 

The Comets took game one against the Olympians 19-7 thanks to a big six-run fifth inning on Saturday and took the small ball 5-2 win on Tuesday.

Comet pitcher Ryan Herrod had the nod on Saturday and pitched six innings, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out seven in six innings pitched. Herrod collected his third win of the season. Nathaniel Helton pitched one inning of relief and allowed one hit. Noah Benavides pitched the ninth and struck out one batter.

On the offensive side of the ball, Ryan Rivera and Makana Olaso both hit home runs. Rivera's was a three-run bomb in the fifth and Olaso had a two-run four-bagger in the eighth. Colby Rafial, Noah Lazuka and Rivera each had a double and Luke Matthews, Rafail, Lazuka, Oslaso and Cook recorded at least one RBI. On the basepaths, Matthews, Anthony Pacino, Carter Jorissen and Ian Halverson each had a stolen base, with Matthews and Pacino stealing twice. 

In game two, the Comets went down 2-0 in the third, but answered with two of their own in the fourth when Halverson singled for two RBI. They then tacked on one run each on the fifth, sixth and eighth innings on two sac flys and an RBI single by Halverson. Halverson finished with four RBI while Olaso had one. Matthews and Lazuka each recorded a double.

On the pitching mound, Ian Mowad started the game and went 6.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six. Holden Carpenter pitched one inning allowing two hits and striking out one. Lucas Smith collected his second save of the season in 1.1 innings pitched. 

Palomar advances to 12-7 on the season and 6-0 in conference play. They will travel to Southwestern College on Thursday before hosting the Jaguars on Saturday at home.