Palomar Opens the Season with a Resilient Road Victory Over Golden West

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (1/24/2025) -- The Palomar College baseball team made a statement in their season opener, defeating Golden West College 9-5 on Friday afternoon at Hoover Field. The win marked an impressive start to the 2025 campaign.

Palomar wasted no time getting on the board, striking for three runs in the top of the first inning. AJ Klubeck reached base with a walk and later scored on a clutch two-run triple down the right-field line by Carter Jorissen. Drake Cobb followed with a single to left-center, driving in Jorissen to give the Comets an early 3-0 advantage.

Golden West fought back, tying the game in the fourth inning with a three-run rally and taking a 4-3 lead in the fifth. However, Palomar's offense responded in emphatic fashion in the sixth. Klubeck laced an RBI double to right-center, tying the game at four. A Golden West fielding error allowed Klubeck to score, followed by an RBI single from Jorissen and another run scored on a wild pitch. The four-run outburst gave the Comets a 7-4 lead they would not relinquish.

The Comets added two more insurance runs in the ninth inning on a sharp two-RBI single by shortstop Jacob Loving, capping off an impressive 12-hit offensive effort.

On the mound, Ian Mowad started for Palomar, delivering four innings of work and striking out six. Lucas Smith (1-0) came on in relief, pitching two solid innings to earn the win. Joey Halter and Michael Getzinger combined to close out the final three innings, keeping the Rustlers at bay.

Jorissen powered the offense, going 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs. Klubeck added two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Loving contributed two RBIs. The win showcased Palomar's depth and resilience as they overcame an early deficit and capitalized on Golden West's defensive miscues.