Comets roll past Southwestern 18-4, extend winning streak to 15 as state's hottest team

SAN MARCOS, CA (3/31/2026) -- Already riding the state's longest active winning streak and fresh off a jump to No. 2 in California and No. 1 in Southern California in the latest state rankings, the Palomar College Comets did nothing to slow their momentum Tuesday afternoon. They sent five batters to the plate in the first inning and five more in the second, scoring 11 runs before Southwestern College could find an answer and rolling to an 18-4 victory at Bob Vetter Field that pushed the streak to 15.

Palomar improved to 25-3 overall and 14-0 in the PCAC.

The first two innings told the whole story. Justin Tucker singled in two in the first, Jacob Loving doubled to plate two more, and DC Ruth added a run-scoring single as the Comets built a 5-0 lead before the Jaguars recorded their third out. The second inning was even more decisive. Elijah Stephens singled in a run, Michael Rodda followed with a three-run home run, and Rainn McMillan capped the frame with a two-run blast to make it 11-0.

Loving finished the day 4-for-4 with four RBI, McMillan went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a homer, Rodda went 3-for-6 with a triple and three RBI, and Ruth went 3-for-5 with three RBI from the bottom of the order. It was a complete offensive performance — 20 hits, 17 RBI, and contributions throughout the lineup.

Stephens made his first career start on the mound and delivered, tossing three scoreless innings before turning it over to the bullpen. What followed was more of the same from a relief corps that has been one of the most reliable in the state all season. Jordan Green, Cody Cappelletti, Blake Gordon, Peyton Perry, and Chance Crawford combined to work the final six innings, holding Southwestern to four runs while keeping the Comets fresh heading into the back half of the series. Green earned the win in relief, improving to 5-1 on the year.

Southwestern fell to 15-13 overall and 7-7 in the PCAC.

The Comets travel to Chula Vista on Thursday for game two of the series against the Jaguars, with first pitch at 2 p.m.