Comets build early and hold on to top City 8-5, remain perfect in PCAC at 6-0

SAN MARCOS, CA (3/10/2026) -- Palomar College scored five runs in the first inning and withstood a San Diego City College rally to win 8-5 on Tuesday at Bob Vetter Field. The Comets improved to 16-3 overall and 6-0 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference. San Diego City fell to 9-10 and 2-4 in the PCAC.

The Comets put the game away early with a chaotic first inning against Knights starter Colin Schrader. After Jacob Loving hit a one-out triple and scored on a wild pitch, Palomar kept the line moving. TK Madera reached on a third-base error that scored two more, and Adrian Macias followed with an RBI single. Rainn McMillan then doubled to plate Macias, capping a five-run frame on just three hits as Schrader and the City defense struggled to keep Palomar off the board. Palomar sent nine batters to the plate and scored all five runs before the inning ended.

McMillan was the offensive standout on the day, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. Loving added a 2-for-4 performance with a double, a triple, and an RBI. Macias drove in a run and scored twice, and DC Ruth drew two walks and knocked in a run with a sacrifice. TK Madera finished with two RBI out of the bottom of the order.

Palomar added three more runs in the third to push the lead to 8-1, but San Diego City chipped away across the middle innings. Oliver Faith hit a two-run home run in the seventh to make it 8-5, but the Knights couldn't get any closer.

Jordan Green earned his third win of the season, working five innings and allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out four. Cody Cappelletti and Angel Barron each followed with clean stretches before Joey Halter closed the door in the ninth to earn his second save of the year.

Palomar has now won six straight PCAC games to open conference play and will look to keep the momentum going Thursday when Imperial Valley College visits Bob Vetter Field for a 1 p.m. first pitch.