Comets sweep Griffins, stand alone atop PCAC standings after first round

SAN MARCOS, CA (3/19/2026) -- The No. 5 Palomar College Comets finished what they started Tuesday, defeating No. 16 Grossmont College 12-6 Thursday afternoon at Bob Vetter Field to sweep the series and stand alone at the top of the PCAC standings through the first round of conference play.

Palomar scored in five of the first six innings and never relinquished the lead, building on a two-run first with three more in the second and keeping the pressure on all afternoon. The Comets finished with 14 hits and 12 runs on the board, improving to 20-3 overall and a perfect 10-0 in the PCAC.

Preston Conklin went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a double, and Elijah Stephens matched him with three hits, two RBI, and a double of his own. Michael Rodda drove in three despite going 1-for-5, and DC Ruth reached base five times — three walks and two hits — while scoring twice and driving in two from the bottom of the order. Jacob Loving went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Braedon Peterson-Cheek reached base three times and scored twice.

Ryan Herrod started and worked three innings, allowing five runs before giving way to Cody Cappelletti, who was sharp in relief. Cappelletti earned his first win of the season, holding the Griffins to one run over three innings while striking out three. Angel Barron followed with two scoreless frames to close it out, and Stephens handled the ninth.

Grossmont fell to 16-9 overall and 8-2 in the PCAC. Gavin Brown drove in three for the Griffins.

Palomar steps out of conference action Saturday, hosting Citrus College at Bob Vetter Field at 1 p.m.