ROSEBURG, OR - Clark College softball showcased both its explosive offensive potential and its resilience in a dramatic doubleheader split against Umpqua Community College on March 24, combining for 20 runs across two games that told very different stories.

Clark (5–12, 2–5) came out dominant in the opener, setting the tone early and never letting up in a 9–5 victory. The Penguins struck for three runs in the first inning, using disciplined at-bats and situational hitting to jump ahead. They broke the game open in the third with a four-run surge, highlighted by key RBI hits from Mylee Burrows and Zoey Mikkelsen.

The offense was consistent from top to bottom, finishing with 13 hits. Rylee Purdom led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, while Jessica Tomberlin and Kairi Rowand added multi-hit efforts. In the circle, Burrows delivered six strong innings to earn the win, and Rowand closed the door despite a late push from Umpqua.

Game 2, however, turned into a back-and-forth battle that slipped away late.

Clark again found success at the plate, matching its 13-hit performance and rallying multiple times. After falling behind early, the Penguins chipped away before taking control in the sixth inning, building what seemed to be a comfortable 8–5 lead.

But momentum shifted quickly. Defensive miscues opened the door for Umpqua in the bottom of the sixth, where a six-run inning—fueled in part by multiple errors—flipped the game and put Clark behind 10–8.

True to form, the Penguins responded. In the seventh inning, Clark mounted another comeback, reclaiming the lead 11–10 behind a sacrifice fly from Purdom and RBI singles from Mikkelsen and Dajah Paz. It was the team's latest example of resilience in a game full of momentum swings.

Still, the final blow belonged to Umpqua. In the bottom of the seventh, the Riverhawks answered with a walk-off RBI single to secure a 12–11 win, capping one of the wildest games of the season.

Across the doubleheader, Clark's offense was relentless, producing 26 hits and consistently applying pressure. Tomberlin reached base at a high rate, Purdom anchored the lineup, and multiple players delivered in key moments.

The difference ultimately came down to execution. While Clark controlled the opener with timely hitting and steady pitching, defensive struggles in Game 2 proved costly, overshadowing an otherwise impressive offensive showing.

By day's end, Clark walked away with a split that highlighted both its strengths and its growth areas—a team capable of scoring in bunches and fighting until the final out, but still searching for the consistency needed to close out tight games.

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