Stephens shuts down Saddleback, Comets explode for 12 in Super Regional opener

SAN MARCOS, CA (5/7/2026) – Elijah Stephens has done this before. The freshman two-way standout took the mound Thursday afternoon at Bob Vetter Field, held No. 9 Saddleback College to one hit over five shutout innings, and watched the offense do the rest. The No. 1 seed Palomar College Comets dominated from the opening pitch, defeating the Bobcats 12-1 to take game one of the 2026 3C2A Super Regional and improve to 38-5 on the season.

The game was essentially over by the time Saddleback recorded its third out of the first inning. Michael Rodda greeted Bobcats starter Jace Barajas with a grand slam after Braedon Peterson-Cheek, Gavin Malcomson, and Stephens had all reached base. Two batters later, Adrian Macias launched a three-run home run to make it 7-0 before the capacity crowd at Bob Vetter had settled into their seats.

Palomar kept adding throughout the afternoon. Rainn McMillan singled home a run in the third, Rodda knocked in another in the fourth, and Gavin Kramer came off the bench to pinch hit in the fifth and delivered a two-run single to push the lead to 12-0. Rodda finished 3-for-5 with four RBI, Macias went 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Preston Conklin drove in two despite going hitless, drawing a key bases-loaded walk in the fifth.

Stephens was just as locked in on the mound. He retired the Bobcats in order through much of his five innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking three. Stephens improved to 3-0 on the season as a starter. Cody Cappelletti, Jordan Green, Chance Crawford, and Joey Halter combined to work the final four innings and keep Saddleback off the board until a harmless run in the eighth.

Saddleback fell to 27-18 overall. Jack Borges drove in the Bobcats' lone run.

The Comets will serve as the designated visiting team in game two Friday at 1 p.m., with a chance to close out the series.