YAKIMA, Wash. - Game 1 - Despite a spirited seventh-inning rally, the Clark Penguins came up short against Yakima Valley, falling 6–3 in non-conference action Friday afternoon. A rough start on the mound and defensive miscues proved too much to overcome, but Clark left fielder
Delaney Bollman delivered a standout performance in the loss.
Bollman was a bright spot in the Clark lineup, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored. She also reached base after being hit by a pitch and played a key role in the Penguins' late-game push.
After being held scoreless through five innings and trailing 6–0, Clark finally broke through in the sixth. Bollman was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then showed her hustle by advancing on a single and error before scoring on Promise Bond's sacrifice fly.
The Penguins made things interesting in the seventh. With two runners on and one out, Bollman delivered a clutch RBI double to score Lily Ferres, then advanced to third on a groundout. She would later cross the plate on an RBI groundout from Ashley Griffith, cutting the deficit to three.
Clark's offense tallied six hits, with Bollman's two leading the way. Griffith added a single and an RBI, while Ferres also chipped in with a hit and a run scored as a pinch hitter.
On the mound, Ferres (4–2) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs—three earned—on six hits over four innings. Tessa Treesh finished the game, giving up two unearned runs across two innings of relief.
Yakima Valley jumped out to an early lead, thanks largely to shortstop Estabrook, who went 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, and three RBIs. Pitcher Ingram earned the win for the Yaks, going the distance while striking out nine.
--
Game 2 - Behind a gritty complete game performance from pitcher Delaney Bollman and a key two-run double from Annali Lindersmith, Clark College knocked off Yakima Valley 4–2 on Friday afternoon.
Bollman was the difference-maker, scattering 12 hits over 7 innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven and walking two. Despite Yakima's consistent pressure, Bollman worked out of several jams and leaned on her defense to secure her third win of the season.
Clark (now 9-17) broke a 2–2 tie in the sixth inning when Promise Bond reached on a single and advanced to third on a Yakima error. After Bollman reached on the same play and took second, Lindersmith came through with a clutch two-out, two-run double to give Clark a 4–2 lead they would not relinquish.
Bond had a standout game from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and a stolen base. He was the spark plug in both of Clark's early runs, scoring in the third after a double and a steal of third base.
Catcher Rylee Purdom also contributed offensively with a solo home run in the second inning, that got Clark on the board.
Despite outhitting Clark 12–5, Yakima Valley (8-8) couldn't convert their baserunners into runs, stranding 11 on base. They tied the game at 2–2 in the fourth inning, but Bollman shut the door the rest of the way, retiring nine of the final 12 batters she faced.
Yakima's Estabrook took the loss, going the distance and striking out 10 without issuing a walk, but her defense committed two costly errors that led to Clark's rally in the sixth.
With the win, Clark picks up a critical road victory as they continue to build momentum in the second half of the season.
They'll look to carry the momentum into the crossover this weekend, where they will face four non-conference opponents over the next two days.
---
For the latest news and results, follow Clark Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date with the latest happenings!
