Rodda Homers, Comets Top Mesa 8-5

SAN MARCOS, CA (2/28/2026) -- Michael Rodda went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, leading Palomar College to an 8-5 victory over San Diego Mesa on Saturday at Palomar.

Rodda was the catalyst for a Palomar offense that totaled 12 hits on the afternoon. He drove in three runs and provided the game's biggest individual moment with his home run off Mesa starter Finn Royer. Jacob Loving added a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI, and Elijah Stephens went 2-for-5 with an RBI to round out Palomar's productive middle of the order.

Palomar jumped in front early and never relinquished the lead, putting up two runs in the first inning and adding runs in each of the next three frames to build a comfortable cushion. The Comets scored in the first, second, third, and fourth innings before closing the game out with a run in the eighth.

Mesa kept it interesting, scoring twice in the third and again in the fourth to pull within three at 6-3, but Palomar's bullpen shut the door from there. Dylan Berentis earned the win after inheriting a bases-loaded situation in the fourth and escaping without further damage. Berentis threw 1.2 innings, allowing no runs while striking out one. Joey Halter followed with 2.2 scoreless frames and four strikeouts before Elijah Stephens bridged the gap to closer Cody Cappelletti, who struck out one and stranded the tying run to earn his first save of the season.

Starter Joey Navarro worked 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. The Comet bullpen combined for 5.2 innings of shutout ball the rest of the way, holding Mesa to just one hit over that span.

Braedon Peterson-Cheek reached base twice at the top of the order, drawing a walk to go along with his hit. AJ Klubeck added a pinch-hit single and scored after reaching in the eighth inning. At the bottom of the lineup, DC Ruth went 2-for-4 and provided a steadying presence throughout.

Mesa's Finn Royer took the loss after allowing seven runs — six earned — on eight hits over four innings, including Rodda's home run.

With the victory, Palomar takes the series over Mesa 2-0. The Comets now shift their focus to a two-game road series against Southwestern College, beginning Tuesday at 1 p.m.