Comets split opening series with Rustlers

SAN MARCOS, CA (1/28/2023) -- Just seven months after the conclusion of its memorable season, Palomar College has proven it can pick up where it left off. The Comets split their Opening Weekend series with Golden West College. Palomar took game one 11-4but the Rustlers came back in game two 3-2 to break even. 

Sophomore outfielder Quincy Scott homered in his first at-bat this season and finished the first game 2-5 with a walk and three RBI. As the designated hitter in game one, sophomore Carter Hain went 4-5 totaling three RBI on two singles. Sophomore Kyle Carr got the nod as the starting pitcher in game one and threw three innings where he allowed one run on one hit and recorded three strikeouts. 

The Comets seemed to be silenced in game two as the Rustlers' pitching staff got the best of Palomar. Scott drove in both Comet runs on a single and then a sac fly to right field. Sophomore Jack Sanders, last season's Big Stick Award winner, went 3-4 with a double and a triple as well as a stolen base. Palomar stranded seven runners on base and recorded just nine hits in game two. But the Comet pitching staff proved they can be a force this season. Pete Knorr was the home opener starter and he threw four innings. He allowed two runs on three hits and recorded five strikeouts. Jack Kelley and Blake Ignaciak return this season. Kelley threw two innings, while Ignaciak was the game's closer. They each recorded one hit, and one walk and Kelley got two batters by way of the K and Ignaciak for one. 

Palomar will host another home and home this week with Fullerton College. The Comets will be on the road on Friday and will be home on Saturday for a high-noon first pitch.