SAN MARCOS — Following a brutal 14-1 defeat at the hands of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Vaqueros on May 16, Palomar College utilized a shutdown pitching staff and heavy bats to earn its way to the championship round.
Palomar has never won a state championship in baseball, and following its worst defeat of the season, momentum was on its opponent’s side heading into a series-deciding matchup on May 17.
But instead of allowing the previous defeat to get in their heads, the Comets remained calm.
“The team has been quiet, focused and diligent and I think that’s something that’s served us well,” Head Coach Ben Adams said.
The focus inevitably paid off and here’s how the Comets accomplished their championship round berth.
Game 1, Palomar 11 – Santa Barbara 5
The Comets fired off with five early runs in the first series match.
The first two innings for Palomar’s offense were an exciting start to the game. The Comets scored five runs in the first inning and an additional three-run, two-out rally in the second to go up 8-0.
Elijah Stephens (#39) led the Palomar baseball team with stellar pitching against SBCC in Game 1.
As Palomar’s starting pitcher and designated hitter, he threw six innings and struck out seven batters to allow four runs from the Vaqueros’ offense.
On the offensive side, Stephens’ offense played a weighty role in the Comet’s victory. He was 4-for-5, scored twice and had two RBIs. The only player with more RBIs than Stephens was Preston Conklin (#9), with three RBIs.
Elijah Stephens (#39) strides towards the mound mid-pitch against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on May 15 at Bob Vetter Field. Stephens threw six innings, struck out seven batters while allowing four runs.
Conklin reached base four times in the match, hitting 2-for-3 including a two-run triple in the second inning with two outs. He was also walked twice while scoring one run.
“I’m not letting external situations play into my current AB [at-bat],” Conklin said. “We’re trying to grind, get their starting pitcher out early and then when the bullpen comes in, put up more runs and that’s been a good game plan all year.”
Cody Cappelletti (#10) relieved Stephens to be pitcher in the seventh inning. Cappelletti struck out five batters and allowed one run to be scored, giving the Comet baseball team an ultimate 11-5 win in Game 1 of the regional finals.
Game 2, Santa Barbara 14 – Palomar 1
The Comets had remained undefeated in the postseason until the second match against SBCC on May 16, and they lost in a big way.
Palomar hadn’t lost by more than 11 runs during the regular season, but even in that defeat they scored six runs.
Vaquero star pitcher, Wylan Nelson (#28) was well-known for going deep into games. His 10-0 record was tied for fifth-best in the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A).
Justin Tucker (right) reaches third base safely on a wild pitch thrown in the fourth inning by Santa Barbara pitcher Max Collins (not pictured). Tucker was the only Comet to score in each game of the regional finals against Santa Barbara on May 15-17. (Tanner Hayes)
The Comets struck first in the second inning, when Justin Tucker (#3) came around to score, but that was all the damage they could muster as Nelson struck out 12 Comet batters across nine innings of pitching.
On the other side, SBCC put up 14 runs against six different Palomar pitchers.
After the 14-1 defeat, momentum was not on the Comets’ side as they headed into the third game of the series that would send one team to the championship round and the other team home.
Game 3, Palomar 9 – Santa Barbara 0
Ryan Herrod (#30) was given the start on the mound for the Comets in Game 3 on May 17.
Herrod struggled with his command in his previous start against Saddleback College, giving up six runs in the first inning of that match that was ultimately won by Palomar after 13 innings of play.
This game was a different story.
Over the course of four innings, Herrod shutdown the heavy-hitting Vaqueros’ offense from the previous day, surrendering just three hits.
Braedon Peterson-Cheek (#8) swings at a pitch against the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros in the regional finals’ Game 1 on May 15 at Bob Vetter Field. (Tanner Hayes)
With the bats, the Comets came out strong in the fourth inning. Adrian Macias (#18) drove in Jacob Loving (#2) for the first point on the scoreboard. Then after loading the bases, Elijah Stephens hit a grand slam to give the Comets a 5-0 lead.
Eyes set on the championship round, Palomar never looked back as they scored four more runs in the sixth inning and the pitching staff held SBCC for only two additional hits in the match to secure a 9-0 victory.
“I think in that situation, they showed a lot of heart, a lot of guts and just really stayed patient and stayed under control and didn’t panic,” Coach Adams said. “They played their game their way and that’s what we coach them, don’t play the other team’s game and that’s what got them through.”
The championship series will take place on May 23 at the Great Park Baseball Complex in Irvine. Palomar’s first opponent is the Feather River College Golden Eagles.
To follow the Comets into the final round of the state championships click the following 3C2A link. The Telescope will provide further coverage as the Comet baseball program seeks its first state championship.