SAN MARCOS — Comets’ baseball marched back into the win column on April 7, dominating on offense and defense in a 15-2 victory against the San Diego City Knights.
Following its first conference loss of the season, Palomar baseball showed no signs of slowing down in its pursuit of the 2026 Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) championship.
Comet starting pitcher Elijah Stephens pitches against San Diego City’s Landyn Magina (maroon, left) while baserunner Joel Romo takes a lead off second base in the third inning on April 7 at Bob Vetter Field. Stephens gave up a leadoff double to Romo and struck out Magina.
The only thing that overshadowed the 15 runs scored by the Comets was starting pitcher Elijah Stephens (#39) who struck out a career-high 10 batters over a scoreless five innings.
“When you get your opportunity, you’re expected to do well,” Stephens said. “I try to make the most of my opportunities and my arm just felt good today.”
Stephens bats even when he pitches and scored twice before vacating the mound with a 7-0 lead. The Comets scored eight more runs after reliever Jordan Green (#20) took over pitching duties.
Seven of those runs came in the seventh inning, capped off by a two-run home run by Palomar catcher Rainn McMillan (#31).
First baseman Mike Rodda (#36) also hit a two-run home run back in the fourth inning that brought Stephens in to score.
SD City scored two runs in the eighth inning, but Palomar closer Nate Moloney (#34) shut the Knights down in the ninth, solidifying the 15-2 win.
The bounce-back win over the Knights brought the Comets to a 16-1 record in the PCAC and they are four games ahead in first place. There are eight conference games remaining that will decide the 2026 championship.
“It was really important to come back from a loss and just to play well more than anything else,” Palomar baseball coach Ben Adams said. “It’s coming down to the back half of the season, and we control all the destiny.”