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THIS WEEK

WEEK OF MAY 12-18

 (HOME EVENTS IN BOLD)

MON., MAY 12

MEN'S GOLF--Tyler Schmuckle 20th of 60, California Community College Athletic Association State Championships (SCGA Course, Murrieta)


FRI.-SAT., MAY 16-17

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD--California Community College Athletic Association State Championships, Falcon Stadium, Cerritos College, times TBA


WEEK OF MAY 5-11

 (HOME EVENTS IN BOLD)

MON., MAY 5

MEN'S GOLF--7th in Southern California Community College Championships, Soboba Springs Country Club, San Jacinto, 7 a.m.


TUE., MAY 6

BASEBALL--Palomar 3, Santa Barbara City College 0


FRI., MAY 9

BASEBALL--Cuesta 12, Palomar 5, Southern California Community College playoffs (best-of-3 series, game 1), San Luis Obispo


SAT., MAY 10

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD--Southern California Community College Finals, Memorial Stadium, Bakersfield College, 9 a.m.

BASEBALL--Cuesta 6, Palomar 5 (10 innings), Southern California Community College playoffs (best-of-3 series, game 2), San Luis Obispo


W-L RECORDS
Baseball 26-21 (18-7)
Softball 28-16 (9-6)
M. Tennis 10-7 (10-4)
W. Tennis 3-15 (3-9)
M. Volleyball 10-9 (8-4)
M. Swimming 1-1 (1-1)
W. Swimming 2-0 (2-0)
M. Golf 12-4 (12-4)

ATHLETICS

1140 W. Mission Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 744-1150 X 2460
FAX (760) 761-3512
Athletic Director:
Scott Cathcart

A.D. LINK

WEBMASTER

OTHER LINKS

PALOMAR COLLEGE SPORTS MEDICINE

PACIFIC COAST CONF.

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Notable Palomar sports alumni ...

JOHN FAIRCHILD, Former BYU basketball All-American and ex-Los Angeles Laker

JON STANLEY, United States Olympic Team, Volleyball, 1968 and 1972; 7-time United States Volleyball Assn. All-American; Inducted into National and International Volleyball Hall of Fame, 1992

TOM DEMPSEY, Former New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles kicker; co-holder of NFL record for longest field goal, 63 yards

RANDY JOHNSON, Former Atlanta Braves third baseman; Former Assistant General Manager of the Detroit Tigers; Currently Assistant to the General Manager of the Oakland A's

MARK WIEBE, Retired PGA Tour golfer

TOM PETRANOFF, Two-time World Record holder in the javelin; No.1-ranked American in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and 1990

JOHN TUSHAUS, Former American Record holder in the javelin; Former NCAA Record holder; University of Arizona's first NCAA track & field champion in any event.

TROY AFENIR, Former Major League catcher for the Houston Astros, Oakland A's and Cincinnati Reds

GEORGE HINSHAW, Former Major League second baseman for the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers

JIM SCRANTON, Former Major League shortstop for the Kansas City Royals

THOM KAUMEYER, Former Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants safety; former Atlanta Falcons Assistant Coach; former Defensive Coordinator,  San Diego State; Current Defensive Coordinator, Tulane University

BRAD HENKE, Defensive end for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV

KEITH MILLER, Former outside linebacker for the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks

KEVIN SWAYNE, Three-season NFL wide receiver for the New York Jets

MITCH WHITE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle

CHRIS CASH, Cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons; Former corner for the Detroit Lions

PITA ELISARA, Former Washington Redskins offensive guard and tackle

BILL KUSHNER, Ex-punter, Buffalo Bills

MATT GEORGE, Ex-kicker, Pittsburgh Steelers

CHRIS KELDORF, Former University of North Carolina quarterback; 1996 ACC Player of the Year; 1997 Gator Bowl MVP; holds 17 North Carolina passing records and eight total offense records

KIM WARD, Two-time softball All-American at Oklahoma State and former pitcher for the U.S. National Team; Associate Head Softball Coach, Oklahoma State University

- - - -

CLICK HERE to view an article on former Palomar swimmer Ana Maria Salazar,  Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Clinton Administration.

CLICK HERE to view biographical information on former Palomar football player Dr. Scott Bowman, Ph.D., UCLA Professor of the Year, Policital Science Dept., 1993-94, and Author of The Modern Corporation and American Political Thought.

CLICK HERE to view a biography of onetime Palomar basketball player Dr. Ted Repa, Ph.D., who retired recently as Chair, Department of Administration, Leadership and Technology, Steinhart School of Education, New York University. The biography is from the NYU web site.

CLICK HERE to view a professional biography of world renowned entomologist David Faulkner, a former Palomar football and basketball player.

CLICK HERE to view an interview with former Palomar and University of North Carolina quarterback Chris Keldorf, 1996 ACC Player of the Year, 1997 Gator Bowl MVP and holder of 17 Tar Heel passing records.


All about us ...

For useful information about Palomar, our athletic program, a more complete list of notable alumni and how to contact us

CLICK HERE


Did you know?

That Palomar alum Tom Dempsey, who set an NFL record when his 63-yard field goal gave the New Orleans Saints a last second-win over the Detroit Lions back in 1970, was much more than just a kicker for the Comets. He also started on the defensive line, was a conference heavyweight wrestling champion and threw the discus. TO READ CBS SPORTSLINE'S DESCRIPTION OF DEMPSEY'S NFL CAREER ...

CLICK HERE

 

Palomar Sports
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Baseball Alumni

Ex-Comet Ibarra pitches Lee

into 62nd NAIA World Series

(5/16/08) 

Jeff Ibarra (left) ran his record to 9-2 by pitching 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in the first game as Lee University swept the best-of-three Atlantic South Super Regional from host Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Daytona Beach, FL to reach the 62nd NAIA World Series.

The Flames downed the Eagles 9-5 and 15-6 to advance to 59-8 on the season and move on to the World Series which will be played May 23-30 at Lewis-Clark State's Harris Field in Lewiston, ID.

Ibarra, a 6-foot-6, 170-pound junior left-hander, has a 3.10 earned run average and has struck out 49 batters and walked eight in 49 1/3 innings -- all out of the bullpen. Lee, which previously won the Region XIII title, is located in Cleveland, TN.

JAMESTOWN COLLEGE -- The Jimmies advanced to their second NAIA World Series appearance in the last five years by winning two of three games from Bellevue University of Bellevue, NE, in the Plains Super Regional at Jack Brown Stadium in Jamestown, ND.

Ex-Comet pitcher Travis Goset is an assistant coach for Jamestown, which is heavily recruiting Palomar second baseman Mitch Blackburn and center fielder Eric Rodriguez. Goset pitched for the University of Kansas and Jamestown after moving on from Palomar.

Jamestown (31-17) defeated the Bruins 6-5 in Game 1, lost the second game 16-7 then came back to win the third game 12-6. The previous week, the Jimmies won the Region III championship.

The Jimmies have had an amazing 2007-08 run that has seen them advance to the NAIA national playoffs in football, the NAIA national tournament in basketball and now the NAIA World Series in baseball.


Women's Basketball

Gonzalez to Cal St. Fullerton;

5 Palomar players commit so far

(5/12/08) 

Palomar first-team all-state women's basketball guard Sabrina Gonzalez (left, photo by Hugh Cox) has accepted an NCAA Division I full-ride scholarship to Cal State Fullerton.

Gonzalez led coach Sheri Jennum's Comets to an unbeaten Pacific Coast Conference championship season and first-round playoff victory, averaging 18.3 points per game with a single-game high of 33, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 steals, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks.

Alyson Haley (Cal Baptist), Jade Simmons (Missouri Western State), and Kelli Brull and Carlie Stone (both Menlo College) also have committed. Nikki Boone will commit to either Alaska-Anchorage or Missouri Western.

Palomar's team will be honored at its banquet next Monday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at Alfresco's Italian Buffet in San Marcos.


Baseball Regionals

Comets, with just 13 players,

take game to 10 inn. in 6-5 loss

(5/10/08) 

Palomar, with a 13-man roster for the best-of-three series, took No. 2 seed Cuesta to extra innings Saturday before dropping a 6-5 decision that eliminated the Comets from the state community college tournament's Southern California Regionals in San Luis Obispo..

The Comets, playing the best-of-three series without 16 players who were suspended for violating team policy, rallied for two runs in the bottom of the 10th after the Cougars had broken a 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the inning as the visitors on their own field.

Anthony Renteria (left) contributed an RBI single for his third hit of the day in the inning and Mitch Ferguson, a relief pitcher who played all 19 innings in the series at second base, added a sacrifice fly.

Right fielder Matt Frankfurth (right) jumped up reached over the fence and robbed Cuesta's Quinton Cate of a home run in the eighth inning.

Renteria went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and a walk as the Comets out-hit the Cougars 10-6. Mitch Blackburn went 2-for-5 with two doubles. Guy Willeford was 2--4or-4 with a walk.

Bobby Shore, Shawn Sanford and Matt Ferreira combined to throw the six-hitter for Palomar and had a three-hitter through the regulation nine innings.

Eric Rodriguez, Kellen Lee and Frankfurth also had singles for the Comets. Rodriguez went back in center to make a running catch and rob Brian Farris of an ex-tra-base hit in the ninth.

“I could not be more proud of what these kids did under these circumstances. I don’t know if I have ever been more proud of a group of kids since I’ve been here,”  said Palomar coach Buck Taylor, in his third season as head coach and eighth season on the Comets staff.

Palomar finished the season 26-21 while Cuesta advanced to 32-13-1.

Cuesta 12, Palomar 5 -- One bad inning spelled disaster for the Comets as the Cougars scored nine times in the bottom of the second and won the first game of the series on Friday. Palomar took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Willeford and Lee drove in runs with a single and groundball to the right side, respectively, but couldn't hold on.

Rodriguez (2-for-4, double, walk), Jason Laws (double, single, sacrifice  bunt) and Frankfurth (2-for-4, double) had multiple hits for the Comets.

BOX1 | BOX2 | FINAL SEASON STATS

Five Comets named to all-conference team

(5/7/08) 

Five Palomar players made the All-Pacific Coast Conference team selected Wednesday by conference coaches.

Named to the first team: sophomore second baseman Mitch Blackburn (left), freshman shortstop Tyler Saladino, sophomore center fielder Eric Rodriguez, sophomore first baseman Guy Willeford and sophomore relief pitcher Kegan Sharp.

Comets receiving honorable mention were freshman pitchers Bobby Shore, Matt Strom and Sam Jew, sophomore catcher Jason Laws and sophomore third baseman Colby Ho.


W. Track & Field

Palomar's Ta'asa Fesuia takes

6th in shot put in So. Calif. meet

(5/10/08) 

Palomar's Ta'asa Fesuia placed sixth in the shot put in the Southern California Community College Championships on Saturday at Bakersfield College's Memorial Stadium with a 37-foot, 8.5-inch performance.

Palomar scored three points in the meet, which was won by Cerritos.

Fesuia moves on to the California Community College Athletic Association State Championships this Friday and Saturday at Cerritos' Falcon Stadium in Norwalk.


Baseball Regionals

ABOVE: Matt Strom deals in his shutout against Santa Barbara City College. BELOW RIGHT: Mitch Blackburn slides in safely at second base. -- (Photos by Hugh Gerhardt)

Strom (4-hitter, 10 strikeouts)

shuts out Santa Barbara 3-0

(5/6/08) 

Freshman left-hander Matt Strom pitched a four-hit, complete-game shutout on Tuesday as Palomar downed Santa Barbara City College 3-0 at Myers Field to begin the Southern California Community College baseball regionals.

Strom, who pitched out of the bullpen until late March, struck out 10 and walked none as he lowered his earned run average to 0.91 with 41 strikeouts and only seven walks over 39 2/3 innings.

Along the way, he became the first Palomar pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout since Nick Vincent, now at Long Beach State, beat Rio Hondo 1-0 in a Southern Cal regional game on May 13, 2006.

Mitch Blackburn (3-for-4, RBI) and Eric Rodriguez (3-for-4, stolen base) led the way offensively as Palomar moved on to a best-of-three series against Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo this weekend. The Comets and Cougars will play the first game Friday at 2 p.m., with the second game at 11 a.m. Saturday and a third game, if necessary, to follow.

Jake Onorato broke up a scoreless pitching duel between Strom and 6-foot-6 Vaqueros right-hander Blake McFarland with a sixth-inning sacrifice fly that scored Blackburn, who was aboard on a single.

Jason Laws, the next batter, singled to drive in Guy Willeford, also aboard on a single, with the second Palomar run. Blackburn singled in the Comets' third run in the seventh inning, driving in Rodriguez. Rodriguez had singled, stolen second and advanced to third on Tyler Saladino's second sacrifice  bunt of the game.

Onorato, playing right field, went to the top of the bank in the first inning to catch a long fly ball by Aaron Bauman and rob him of an extra-base hit. Rodriguez made two outstanding catches, going up the bank in straight-away center to take an extra- base hit away from Andrew Leighty in the third inning and making a diving catch coming in on Brendan Pichettoe's blooper in the ninth.

"I don't worry about (the other team's) hitting the ball with our defense," Strom said.

Onorato singled for the Comets' other hit, rounding out an eight-hit attack off three Santa Barbara pitchers.

Palomar advanced to 26-19.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Football

Carithers to Eastern Michigan;

19 Comets moving on so far

(5/3/08) 

Kicker Joe Carithers became the 19th Palomar football player to move on to the four-year college level on Friday evening when he accepted a full scholarship to NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan University of the MAC.

Carithers made eight-of-14 field goals and 40-of-42 PAT's for Palomar's 2007 team. The Eagles' 2008 schedule includes games at Michigan State on Sept. 6, Maryland on Sept. 20 and Army on Oct. 11.

The list of Palomar players moving on, as of May 3:

  • ILB Mike Bethea, University of Nevada

  • K Joe Carithers, Eastern Michigan University

  • QB Hunter Wanket, Central Connecticut State University

  • REC Kyle Hill, Sacramento State University

  • DE Mao Lefiti, South Dakota State University

  • CB Michael Wright, Idaho State University

  • C Vic Aquilina, Western Carolina University

  • OT Brandon Hribar, Western Carolina University

  • S Breyan McQueen, Western Carolina University

  • WR Stephan Towns, Stony Brook University

  • DE Geraldo Powell, Hampton University

  • LB Lawrence Hunt, Missouri Valley College

  • DL Tim Asavaio, Missouri Valley College

  • DE Simon Malo, Missouri Valley College

  • CB Chancey Duriso, UTEP (walk-on)

  • LB Willie Waters, San Diego State (walk-on)

  • WR/PR Marques Parker (2006 team), TCU

  • LB Tyler Hiatt, Adams State College

  • DT Tony Kalone (2006 team), University of Northern Colorado


Baseball

ABOVE: Mitch Blackburn drives the ball for one of his three hits in Thursday's win over Imperial Valley. BELOW LEFT: Winning pitcher Sam Jew gets high-fived his teammates. -- (Photos by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Playoffs next after Jew defeats

Arabs 4-1 with 8 strong innings

(5/1/08) 

Sam Jew pitched eight innings of one-run, six-hit ball Thursday as Palomar closed the regular season with a 4-1 victory over Imperial Valley at Myers Field.

Jew (3-1) struck out seven and walked none as the Comets advanced to 25-19, 18-7 to finish alone in second in the Pacific Coast Conference entering the Southern California playoffs which begin next week.

Tyler Saladino (3-for-5, two doubles, one run scored) and Mitch Blackburn (3-for-3, one walk, two runs scored) paced a 10-hit attack for Palomar. Colby Ho reached base for the 20th and 21st time this season as a hit batter.

Jimmy Hoyt came on to pitch shutout ball in the ninth inning, picking up his first save.

Palomar will either be in the play-in game on Tuesday or will open the postseason with a first-round best-of-three series next weekend (May 9-10). The seeding meeting for the Southern Cal playoffs is slated for Sunday.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Football Signings

Nevada has signed second-team J.C. Grid-Wire All-American linebacker Mike Bethea, shown tackling Riverside Community College ball-carrier in Comets'  34-17 win last Fall. .-- (Photo by Rick Rowell) ORDER  PHOTOS (password: cometball)

Bethea signs with Nevada;

list of Comets moving on at 18

(4/28/08) 

Palomar J.C. Grid-Wire second-team All-America linebacker Mike Bethea has signed with the University of Nevada and will play for the Wolf Pack of the Western Athletic Conference this upcoming Fall.

Bethea, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound La Costa Canyons High School product, led the Comets' 2007 team in tackles (77 in 10 games), solo tackles (38) and tackles for losses (10). He also had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Also, All-Mission Conference center Vic Aquilina signed became the third Comet to sign with Western Carolina.

The signings bring the list of Palomar players moving on to the four-year college level to 18 and counting.

Five additional Comets are close to choosing four-year colleges.


Swimming

ABOVE: Tristan Kennedy wins the women's 100 individual medley for the Comets in 1:06.01. BELOW RIGHT: Ali Karbossi wins the men's 400 IM in 4:41.16. (Photos by Hugh Cox)

Palomar finishes in second in

men's women's swim finals

(4/26/08) 

Palomar's men's and women's swim teams both finished second in team scoring in the  Pacific Coast Conference Championships that concluded a three-day run Saturday at Wallace Memorial Pool.

The Comets' men's team of Michael Jordan, David Patel, Shawn Morris and Ryan DeLuna won the men's 400 medley relay in 3:54.72. Ali Karbossi took home the gold medal in the 400 individual medley in 4:41.16.

Palomar's women won eight events, led by Tristan Kennedy who placed first in the 100 IM (1:06.01), the 200 IM (2:24.46) and the 100 backstroke (1:05.64) and also swam on four victorious relay teams. Amie Potter captured the 1,650 freestyle in 20:32.28.

Katelyn Mascoto, Kennedy, Ave Woods and Lauren Brkich won the 200 freestyle relay in 1:45.34. Kennedy, Sam Alderton, Brkich and Woods took first in the 400 medley relay in 4:26.81. Kennedy, Brkich, Alderton and Mascoto won the 200 medley relay in 1:58.71. Brkich, Mascoto, Woods and Kennedy won the 400 freestyle relay in 3:51.47.


Women's Trac & Field

Comes' Rowe places second

in 1,500 at conference finals

(4/25/08)

Palomar placed third in the Foothill Conference Women's Track & Field finals at Cuyamaca College on Friday, led by Aubriele Rowe's performance in the 1,500 meters.

Rowe (left) placed second, running a 5:26.67.

Joella Silvera, who won three races in leading Southwestern to the team championship, won the event in 5:25.41 -- beating Rowe by only 1.26 seconds.


Softball

Four Comets first-team All-PCC;

Palomar opens regionals Sat.

(4/25/08)

Four Palomar players have been voted to the All-Pacific Coast Conference softball first team by conference coaches. Three other Comets made the second team.

Also, Palomar will visit Fullerton in a best-of-three series to begin the Southern California Community College tournament beginning Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m.

The second game will be at noon Sunday with a third game, if necessary, to follow.

All-conference Comets:

  • Andi Anti (left), infield, first team

  • Shawna Barrow, infield, first team

  • Corey Bass, outfield, first team

  • Alex Hutchinson, pitcher, first team

  • Brenda Gill, catcher, second team

  • Theresa Houle, first base, second team

  • Andrea Nedden, outfield, second team

 


Baseball

Jew, Sharp (seventh save) pitch

Comets to 3-1 win over Jaguars

(4/23/08) 

Palomar went on the road and stunned Pacific Coast Conference champion Southwestern 3-1 on Thursday, beating conference pitching leader Daniel Stenavich.

The Comets' Sam Jew (left, 2-1) won a pitchers' duel from Stenavich, who came into the game with a 7-1 record and ERAs of 1.64 (overall) and 1.45 (conference).

Jew, a freshman right-hander from Kalamunda, Perth, Australia, stopped the Jaguars (30-10, 20-2) on eight hits and one run over the first eighth innings.

Sophomore right-hander Kegan Sharp pitched the ninth for save No. 7, moving to second on the all-time Palomar single-season list. The save also was Sharp's seventh in conference play, breaking the Palomar record of six that he had tied against Grossmont on April 19.

Jerry Stafford, who went on to pitch for San Diego State and in the Florida Marlins organization, had set the old mark in 1990. Chris Adams, who later pitched for the University of New Mexico, first tied it a year later.

After a lead-off walk, Sharp retired the final three Southwestern batters on a strikeout looking and two ground balls.

The Comets, trailing 1-0, scored three runs in the top of the sixth on Eric Rodriguez' triple to right field, Mitch Blackburn's sacrifice fly to center, Guy Willeford's fifth home run of the season over the rightfield fence and a Southwestern error. Willeford and Anthony Renteria each went 2-for-4. Rodriguez went 2-for-5.

Mitch Ferguson, normally a relief pitcher, and Jason Laws, the Comets'  regular catcher, both made their first appearances of the season as infielders.

Ferguson played the whole game at second base and had the Comets' first hit of the game off Stenavich, an opposite-field single with two out in the third inning. Ferguson had two putouts and seven assists. He made a diving stop to throw out Southwestern clean-up hitter Edgar Molina in the third inning and turned a line drive by Taylor Comford into a fourth-inning double play -- throwing to first to double off the Jaguars' Ryan Feriss. Laws played the entire game at third and had a putout and three assists.

The Comets (23-18, 16-6) locked up undisputed second place with the victory. The two teams will play again on Saturday at noon at Myers Field.

BOX | SEASON STATS 


Football

Palomar slates kickoff times

for its 2008 home schedule

(4/22/08) 

Palomar has announced kickoff times for its five home games of the 2008 football season at Wilson Stadium in Escondido.:

  • Sept. 6 vs. Southwestern, 6 p.m.

  • Sept. 27 vs. College of the Desert, 6 p.m.

  • Oct. 11 vs. Saddleback, 6 p.m.

  • Oct. 25 vs. Long Beach City College, 1 p.m.

  • Nov. 8 vs. Orange Coast, 1 p.m.


Baseball

Tyler Saladino slides in safely for Comets in Tuesday's game with Grossmont. (Photo by Hugh Gerhardt)

Saladino (3-for-4, HR, double)

stays hot but Comets tumble

(4/22/08) 

Tyler Saladino went 3-for-4, slugged his fourth home run, doubled and reached base as a hit batter on Tuesday, but second-place Palomar dropped a 5-2 Pacific Coast Conference decision to third-place Grossmont at Myers Field.

The Comets had only two runs to show for 12 hits as they dropped to 22-18 on the season, 15-6 in conference going into a two-game series with newly-crowned PCC champion Southwestern on Thursday at Southwestern and Saturday at home.

Palomar leads Grossmont by four games with four to play, so the Comets' "magic number" remains at one -- one Palomar victory or one Grossmont loss -- to clinch second place outright. The Comets have already wrapped up the conference's No. 2 playoff berth by winning their season series from Grossmont four games to one.

Kellen Lee went 2-for-4 with a double and a single for Palomar. The Comets, trailing 5-0, scored their first run in the eighth inning on a walk to Colby Ho, pinch-hitter Jake Onorato's fielder's choice and pinch-hitter Reece Alnas' RBI single to up the middle. Saladino's solo homer over the rightfield fence to lead off the bottom of the ninth made the final score 5-2.

The Comets got effective relief pitching from Tyler Hamilton (2 2/3 innings, two hits, one run), Andrew Jenkins (1 2/3 innings, 0 runs) and Jimmy Hoyt (one inning, no hits, no runs).

Eric Rodriguez went up the bank in center field to make two spectacular catches against the fence for Palomar.

Over Palomar's last three games -- victories over San Diego Mesa and Grossmont and Tuesday's loss to the Griffins -- Saladino is 6-for-9 with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs, five runs scored, three walks and a hit-by-pitch.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Softball

History repeats as Palomar

stuns Cypress for second time

(4/19/08) 

Cypress' softball team is 45-0 against everyone else this season but is 1-2 vs. Palomar.

The Comets, who earlier snapped the Chargers' 36-game win streak on April 5 at Cypress, beat them again Saturday, this time 5-3 at home. That sent the Chargers "tumbling" to 46-2.

Andi Anti (left) went 3-for-3 with a double and Alex Hutchinson (right) threw a seven-hitter. The Comets, trailing 2-1, scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by  Christy Kearney's two-run single, to take a 5-2 lead. A run in the top of the seventh left Cypress a run short. Brenda Gill was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Shawna Barrow went 2-for-4 with an RBI.


Baseball

Strom's 7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs

set stage for win over Griffins

(4/19/08) 

Matt Strom (left), Palomar's most effective relief pitcher, finally got a start on Saturday. You can bet the farm it will not be his last.

The freshman left-hander, working ahead of almost every hitter he faced, pitched seven innings of three-hit, shutout ball, striking out five and walking none, in an 11-6 Pacific Coast Conference victory over host Grossmont. He threw 87 pitches

The Griffins, battling back from an 8-0 deficit after Strom left the game, scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull to within two runs at 8-6. But freshman shortstop Tyler Saladino (right) slugged a three-run home run over the rightfield fence in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Palomar had stretched a 4-0 lead to 8-0 in the top of the eighth, when Guy Willeford slugged a three-run home run to right. Mitch Blackburn preceded Willeford's HR with an RBI single earlier in the inning. Willeford had four RBIs for the day.

Kegan Sharp came on to get the Comets out of the eighth inning, tacked on a scoreless ninth and notched his sixth save.

Strom, pitching this season for the first time since he threw two no-hitters for Temecula Valley High School in 2003, now has an ERA of 0.73 on the season, with 26 strikeouts and six walks in 24 2/3 innings. In conference, he's 1-1 with an ERA of 0.50, and 17 strikeouts and four walks in 16 innings.

His previous 13 appearances had all been in relief.

The second-place Comets (22-17, 15-5) now lead the third-place Griffins (17-18, 10-10) by five games with five to play.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Baseball

Colby Ho gets down suicide squeeze bunt to score Mitch Blackburn during Comets' five-run eighth inning on Thursday.  (Photos by Hugh Gerhardt)

Saladino's 3-run double in 8th

beats Mesa; Jew wins in relief

(4/17/08) 

Tyler Saladino's (left) bases-loaded double in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted Palomar to a come-from-behind, 8-4 Pacific Coast Conference baseball win over San Diego Mesa on Thursday at Myers Field.

The Comets, who trailed early 4-0, scored five times in the inning to give freshman right-handed Australian Sam Jew (lright), who threw 5 1/3 innings of shutout ball, the pitching win in relief.

With Palomar down 4-3, Jason Laws led off the inning with a single to left and pinch-runner beat the throw to second on Matt Frankfurth's sacrifice fielder's choice. Eric Rodriguez singled on a picture-perfect bunt just inside the third-base line, when Mesa pitcher Blake Gallacher had no chance to throw out Rodriguez and had to eat the ball.

Saladino followed with his three-run double, giving the Comets a 6-4 lead. Saladino scored when Mitch Blackburn was safe at second on a sacrifice bunt an an error. Guy Willeford bunted Blackburn to third, he came home on Colby Ho's suicide squeeze bunt.

Kegan Sharp then came on to shut out the Olympians in the top of  the ninth.

Saladino went 2-for-3 with the double, a walk, two runs scored, three RBIs and a stolen base. He also was hit by a pitch.

Palomar advances to 14-5 in conference, 21-17 on the season, and solidified its hold on second place when Grossmont lost to San Diego City College in extra  innings.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Men's Golf

Schmuckle shoots 69 to key

three-way victory for Comets

(4/14/08) 

Tyler Schmuckle (left) carded a 3-under par 69 on Monday at Twin Oaks Golf Club as Palomar closed its regular season 12-4 and captured an Orange Empire Conference regular-season championship by winning a four-way match.

The Comets 362 easily outdistanced Irvine Valley's 393, Orange Coast's 396 and Riverside Community College's 426.

Ryan Card shot a 71 for Palomar. Scott Wyers had a 72, Steve Steilen 73 and Thomas Chu 77.


Baseball

Onorato's two-run double in

9th inning leaves City standing

(4/10/08) 

Jake Onorato's (left) two-run double on a 3-2 count in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday drove in the tying and winning runs and gave Palomar a wild 10-9 victory over San Diego City College at Myers Field.

The Knights, taking advantage of seven Palomar errors in possibly the most sloppy game the Comets have played all season, rallied from an 8-2 deficit to take a 9-8 lead in the top of the eighth,.

Guy Willeford then led off the bottom of the ninth by drawing a walk.

Jared Jones bunted pinch-runner Reece Alnas to second and Anthony Renteria (right), working City College reliever Matt Veltmann deep into the count, was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second.

That brought up Onorato, who hit a towering drive into the right-centerfield gap to score Alnas and Renteria and win the game.

Renteria hit a long, high two-run home run over the rightfield fence in the fifth inning for the Comets (20-16, 13-4 Pacific Coast Conference). On the day, he also had a sacrifice bunt and scored three runs.

Eric Rodriguez (2-for-4, double) and Mitch Blackburn (2-for-3, RBI) had multiple-hit games.

Kegan Sharp, the fifth Palomar pitcher of the afternoon, came on with two outs in the eighth inning and picked up the victory after Palomar's ninth-inning rally.

Palomar starter Joe Cates got shaky defensive support as he pitched five-hit ball over the first six innings and allowed two runs, both unearned. He left the game with an 8-2 lead that the Knights (14-15, 6-11) erased with a six-run eighth inning.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Men's Volleyball

Palomar sweeps state champ

Irvine Valley 33-31, 30-22, 30-27

(4/9/08) 

Palomar got 12 kills from Casey Sawyer (left) and stunned defending state community college champion Irvine Valley in a three-game sweep Wednesday evening in Irvine.

The Comets broke the Lasers' 13-match win streak 33-31, 30-22, 30-27. Irvine Valley came into the match 15-1 on the season (10-0 in the Pacific Coast Conference) and hadn't lost in almost two months, since falling to Los Angeles Pierce  on Feb. 15.

Steve Schleicher added 11 kills as the Comets kept their postseason playoff hopes alive. Palomar is 8-8 on the season, 6-4 in the Pacific Coast Conference.


W. Volleyball

Diessner accepts scholarship

to play at NW Missouri State

(4/7/08) 

Palomar's Sage Diessner (left) has committed to Northwest Missouri State University, where she will play defense and Libero.

She accepted a scholarship to Northwest Missiouri, an NCAA Division II school located in Marywood, MO, after returning from a recruiting trip over the weekend.

Diessner, a 5-foot-8 sophomore, came to Palomar from West Valley High School in Yakima, WA.


Last updated 5/16/08

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SCOREBOARD

Mon., May 12

M. GOLF

Tyler Schmuckle

CCCAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Palomar sophomore Tyler Schmuckle shot a 73-75 -- 148 at the SCGA course in Murrieta on Monday to tie for 20th in  a 60-man field in the California Community College Athletic Association state championships.

Schmuckle finished seven strokes behind medalist David Min of Cypress, who carded a 74-67 -- 141. College of the Canyons, Saddleback and Fresno City College finished 1-2-3 in team scoring.

Schmuckle was the only Comet to qualify for the finals. Palomar hosted the tournament.


Mon., May 5

M. GOLF

Tyler Schmuckle

SOUTHERN CAL CHAMPIONSHIPS -- Tyler Schmuckle shot a 73-72 -- 141 at Soboba Springs Country Club in San Jacinto to qualify for the California Community College Athletic Association state championships which Palomar will host next Monday at the SCGA Course in Murrieta.

Also for Palomar, which placed seventh with a 754: Chris Steilen shot a 73-75 -- 148, Ryan Card 76-79 -- 155, Chris Durso 78-71 -- 159 and Clayton Anady 82-79 -- 161.

Moorpark won the Southern California championship with a 735.


Sun., May 4

SOFTBALL

Andi Anti

PALOMAR 7, Fullerton 2 -- Coach Scia Maumausolo's  Comets evened the best-of-three first-round Southern California playoff series at a game apiece at the Hornets' field -- then lost the third game 7-0.

Andi Anti wen 2-for-3 and doubled in the first game, then game back to go 2-for-3 in the second game.

Shawna Barrow (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) also had a multiple-hit performance in the 7-2 win. Theresa Houle slugged a three-run home run. Alex Huchinson pitched a complete-game shutout.

The Hornets' second-game win ended the Comets' season at 28-16.


Sat., May 3

SOFTBALL

Fullerton 4, PALOMAR 0 -- The Comets traveled to Hornet Field and dropped the opening game of a best-of-three Southern California playoff series in the California Community College Athletic Association state tournament.

Shawna Barrow and Andi Anti singled for Palomar's hits. Chelsea Blackman pitched one inn of shutout relief ball.

The Comets fell to 27-15 while the Hornets advanced to 34-15). The two teams will play again Sunday at noon with a third game, if necessary, to follow.


Tue., April 29

BASEBALL

Colby Ho

PALOMAR 13, Imperial Valley 2 -- Winning pitcher Andrew Jenkins didn't allow an earned run in seven innings and Colby Ho,  Kellen Lee, Mitch Blackburn and Anthony Renteria slugged home runs for the Comets.

Ho (3-for-4, HR, two doubles, RBI, three runs scored, two walks) and Jason Laws (3-for-6, RBI, double) paced a 17-hit attack as Palomar advanced to 24-19, 17-7 in the Pacific Coast Conference) with one game left in the regular season.

Ho and Lee both homered in the seventh inning. Ho's solo HR was his third of the season. Lee's three-run blast was his second. Blackburn and Renteria hit solo shots in the top of the ninth, No. 2 for Blackburn, No. 5 for Renteria.

Eric Rodriguez and Guy Willeford each added two hits. Tyler Saladino and Reece Alnas had triples.

BOX | SEASON STATS


Mon., April 28

M. GOLF

ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE FINALS -- Palomar carded a 36-hole score of 740, finishing fourth in the tournament and second in the conference overall.

Chris Steilen shot a 68-75 for the Comets, Thomas Chu 69-75, Tyler Schmuckle 64-75, Ryan Card 73-79, Scott Wyers 75-79 and Clayton Anady 73-82 at Los Serranos Golf Club North Course (par 72) and South Course (par 72) in Chino Hills.

Steilen was named all-conference.

Palomar advances to the Southern California Regionals next week at Sobob a Springs Country Club in San Jacinto.


Sat., April 26

BASEBALL

Mitch Blackburn

Southwestern 9, PALOMAR 5 -- The second-place Comets led the Pacific Coast Conference champions 3-1 when starting pitcher Matt Strom, who was sailing along with a four-hitter, tired quickly in  the top of the seventh.

The Jaguars wound up scoring five runs in the inning off three Palomar pitchers, three of them unearned, and continued on to run their record to 31-10, 21-2 in conference in the Comets' last home Saturday game of the season.

Mitch Blackburn went 3-for-4, doubled and drove in a run for the Comets (23-19, 16-7).