VANCOUVER - The 2025 Clark College baseball season ended just one win shy of the NWAC World Series. It was the third consecutive playoff birth for the Penguins, but it unfortunately ended short of the ultimate goal of making it to Longview. Still, there was lots to celebrate from last spring, and some key contributors from that team return to hopefully finish the job this season.

Coach Mark Magdaleno is back for his eleventh year and ninth season leading the baseball program. Coach Mags has accumulated 187 wins as Penguin skipper, which is second all-time behind only Clark College legend and the baseball field's eponym, Vern Kindsfather. If he intends to inch closer to Kindsfather on the all-time wins list, Mags is going to be counting on a young Penguin team to do it. "This is the youngest team that we've had in my time as head coach," Magdaleno explained. "We could start as many as seven position players that are freshman."

Regardless of the number of new faces in the program, the playoff expectations and being at the top of the West Region don't change. With that, a process-oriented coach like Magdaleno doesn't like to look past the next weekend's games. "In this program we will always be striving for the playoffs," said Magdaleno. "But we're going to take it one weekend at a time and take a wait and see approach. It's important to have a lot of patience early and then hopefully we will figure it out when it matters."
Still, it's easy for a veteran coach to see how this team's inexperience can be a positive.  "We've got a youthful enthusiasm. The guys have bought into the culture and the concepts, and they're very talented," Magdaleno continued. How does he plan to manage this year's team?  Even with it of being freshman heavy, Magdaleno still sees this as a traditional Clark team. "We're going to pick it and we're going to throw strikes." With that, let's meet the team!

Around the infield is where you will find some of the key returners for this Clark squad. Holding down the hot corner at third base and hitting in the middle of the order will be Jase Pachels (Henderson, NV/ Coronado High School). Pachels has already signed with NAIA baseball powerhouse Lewis and Clark State College in Idaho for next year. He started 40 games last season for Clark and batted .274 while leading the team in hits and runs batted in before being named Second Team All-Region. "He is hands down the best third baseman in the NWAC," Magdaleno boasted proudly. "He's big and physical, but he's also quick with a plus arm and he can obviously hit too." Also returning to the infield is Kobin Mullins (Kenmore, WA/Inglemoor High School). Mullins can play a variety of spots, but expect to see him at second base most often and hitting in the two hole. Mullins appeared in 41 games and started 37 as an infielder last season. He was among the team leaders in hits, runs, and HBPs on top of leading the team in stolen bases. Another featured returning position player is utility Rylan Taguchi (Highlands Ranch, CO/Rock Canyon High School). Look for Taguchi to play a lot of positions, including catching and contributing on the mound. When asked, Taguchi said he is planning to play "wherever the team needs me at to win games." Last spring he batted .308, walked 20 times, and led the team in OBP at .511 for the season. Providing depth as a utility man will be Morrie Solam (Renton, WA/Hazen High School). Solam appeared in ten games, starting two, last season. He showed an ability to drive in runs, recording five RBIs in just 16 at at-bats. 

The pitching staff has a new leader in coach Tom McGraw. A former big leaguer with the St. Louis Cardinals, McGraw brings an incredible resume and local roots (Battle Ground High School and Washington State University) to Clark.  McGraw can lean on a couple returning arms, though Kenneth Hall (Des Moines, WA/Mt. Rainier High School) tops the list. Hall appeared in 13 games, starting nine, and hurled a team best three complete games. He led the team in ERA, WHIP, and BAA and finished second on the team in innings pitched and third in strikeouts. At the back end of games, Trig Berens (Casper, WY/Natrona County High School) should get the ball. Opponents hit just .250 against him last season. One impact transfer to watch is Garrett Maunu (La Center, WA/La Center High School). Maunu attended Walla Walla CC and appeared in 16 games with five starts last season. He went 4-1 on the mound with a 2.22 ERA in 52.2 innings pitched. Though he redshirted last season, watch for Erik Ronquist (Cincinnati, OH/Fairfield High School) to be a key arm for Clark. Though just 5'8, Ronquist has shown the stuff to be a top hurler in the West Region. Magdaleno called Ronquist "a pivotal arm for us this season." Competing for spots in the rotation and in the bullpen will be returner Cole Robinson (Vancouver, WA/Evergreen High School). Robinson appeared in nine games out of the bullpen and struck out almost one batter per inning as opposing batters hit just .240 against him.

Looking for newcomers who will be ready to make an immediate impact? Look no further than Kaeden Cruse (Portland, OR/Grant High School). The Oregon State Player of the Year after leading Grant to a State Championship, Cruse batted .443 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs while also contributing as a pitcher for the Generals. Freshman DJ Ringenbach (Puyallup, WA/Puyallup High School) also had an excellent prep career for one of the top baseball programs in Washington at Puyallup High School. Ranked as one of the top prospects in the state by Perfect Game, Ringenbach should step right in as the everyday shortstop for Clark. Southern California transplant Taddeo Ituarte (San Diego, CA/San Ysidro High School) has the frame at 6'3 220lbs to provide some pop to the line-up and be a freshman to make a major impact. With the outfriend pretty wide open due to a lack of returners with starting experience, watch for freshman Lucas Tiernan to compete for a lot of time. He tested well in the 60 and his speed will create another element for the Penguin offensive game plan.
 
The Penguins open the season on Friday, February 20^th against Linn-Benton. From there, they will play a non-conference schedule of mostly NWAC teams before opening West Region play against Olympic on March 26^th. Should they qualify for their fourth consecutive super regional, those will be held on May 15^th weekend at a location TBD. The NWAC Championship returns to Longview, WA starting May 21^st.
 
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