Comets sweep Desert Warriors behind Navarro's gem, improve to 8-0 in PCAC

EL CENTRO, CA (3/14/2026) -- Joey Navarro tossed six strong innings and Palomar College's offense erupted for six runs in the seventh to complete a series sweep of the Imperial Valley College Desert Warriors with an 11-3 victory Saturday afternoon, pushing the Comets to 18-3 overall and a perfect 8-0 in PCAC play.

Palomar scratched out single runs in the second and third innings before Imperial Valley briefly seized momentum with three runs in the bottom of the second. The Comets' offense went quiet through the middle frames, but the seventh inning proved decisive — Palomar sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six times to blow the game open, then added two more in the eighth for good measure.

Elijah Stephens and Michael Rodda each went deep, with Stephens driving in three and Rodda finishing 3-for-5 with three runs scored. Jacob Loving went 2-for-5 with two RBI, and Gavin Kramer reached base three times while scoring twice from the leadoff spot. Justin Tucker and Preston Conklin each doubled and drove in a run, and Rainn McMillan added an RBI knock behind the dish.

Navarro improved to 5-0 on the season, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings while striking out five. Cody Cappelletti, Angel Barron, and Peyton Perry each worked a scoreless frame in relief to close out the win.

Imperial Valley dropped to 6-16 overall and 0-8 in conference play. Nico Viesca took the loss, falling to 0-4 on the year.

The Comets return to action Tuesday in a highly anticipated road matchup against Grossmont College.