
Palomar Splits with Riverside in Home-and-Home Series
SAN MARCOS, CA (2/22/2025) -- The Palomar College baseball team split a two-game series against Riverside City College, with each team winning on their respective home field. Riverside won the first game 11-2 at their Evans Sports Complex on February 21, and Palomar responded with a 5-2 victory at home on February 22.
Game 1: Riverside 11, Palomar 2
In the first game, Palomar struggled to contain Riverside's offense, allowing 11 runs on 13 hits. Riverside jumped out to an early lead with a two-run second inning and added two more runs in the fourth to make it 4-0. Palomar responded in the third, scoring one run, but Riverside quickly added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Comets were only able to scratch across two runs, with TK Madera driving in one with a sacrifice fly and Rainn McMillan plating the other with a single.
On the mound, Pete Knorr (1-1) took the loss for Palomar, working 4.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts. Mason Garris and Joey Navarro also saw action in relief.
Game 2: Palomar 5, Riverside 2
Palomar bounced back in game two, with Brandon Bollerer delivering a strong start and the Comets capitalizing on key hits. Bollerer pitched five solid innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out eight to earn the win. Riverside's Jake Valenzuela struggled in the early innings, allowing four runs on five hits over three innings.
Palomar took a 4-0 lead in the third inning, with Brendan Shanahan, Adrian Macias, and Vance Sartor each driving in runs. Carter Jorissen added a two-RBI double to seal the win. Riverside added a pair of runs in the fourth but couldn't close the gap.
Lucas Smith came on in relief and closed out the game with four innings of scoreless ball, allowing just one hit and striking out two.
Key Performances
Game 1 (L, 11-2):
- Rainn McMillan: 1-for-4, RBI
- TK Madera: 0-for-2, RBI
- Pete Knorr: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 K
Game 2 (W, 5-2):
- Brendan Shanahan: 2-for-3, RBI
- Adrian Macias: 1-for-3, RBI
- Carter Jorissen: 1-for-2, 2 RBIs
- Brandon Bollerer: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 8 K
- Lucas Smith: 4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 K
Looking Ahead
With the split, Palomar moves to 7-5 on the season. The Comets will return to action on Tuesday, February 27, hosting Saddleback College in a scheduled makeup game to conclude their non-conference schedule before heading into league play.