Macias delivers six RBI as Comets hold off No. 27 Grossmont in regular season finale opener, 12-11

SAN MARCOS, CA (4/21/2026) -- It wasn't clean, but it counted. The No. 3 Palomar College Comets survived a late Grossmont College push Tuesday afternoon at Bob Vetter Field, holding on for a 12-11 victory to open the final series of the regular season and improve to 33-4 overall and 22-1 in the PCAC.

Adrian Macias was the difference maker. The third baseman went 2-for-3 with a home run and six RBI, providing the cushion Palomar needed when No. 27 Grossmont refused to go quietly. Elijah Stephens added a home run and four RBI, and Braedon Peterson-Cheek tripled and drove in two. The Comets built a 12-6 lead through seven before the Griffins plated five in the sixth and three more in the ninth to make it a one-run game heading into the final out.

Stephens came on in relief and worked five innings, striking out four and keeping Grossmont at bay through the middle frames before Cody Cappelletti ran into trouble in the ninth. That's when Joey Halter stepped in and slammed the door, retiring the Griffins to earn his fifth save of the season and preserve the win.

Angel Barron earned the win in relief, improving to 1-0 on the season after working 2.2 innings to open the game. Jacob Loving scored three times, Preston Conklin drew three walks and scored, and Rainn McMillan went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to round out a lineup that drew eight walks on the day.

Grossmont fell to 24-14 overall and 16-7 in the PCAC. Logan Aguilar homered and drove in three for the Griffins.

The Comets travel to La Mesa on Thursday for game two, with first pitch set for 2 p.m.