VANCOUVER, WA - Clark College closed out its doubleheader against Lower Columbia College with a pair of competitive performances that ultimately slipped away late, dropping a 4–3 decision in the finale after a 10–2 loss earlier in the day Saturday at Kindsfather Field in Vancouver.
In the opening game of the afternoon, Clark (13–20) fell behind early but showed brief offensive life in a 10–2 defeat. The Penguins struck first in the third inning when Caden Taylor lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Parker Peschel, giving Clark a 1–0 lead. Starter Kenneth Hall provided stability through the middle innings, working into the sixth while limiting hard contact and keeping the Penguins within striking distance longer than the final score suggested.
The game turned in the fourth inning when Lower Columbia broke through with a four-run frame fueled by timely hitting and defensive miscues. The Red Devils added insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, and ninth to pull away.
Clark responded in the sixth when Rylan Taguchi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run, and the Penguins finished with six hits in the contest, including doubles from Morrie Solam and Kobin Mullins. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Hall delivered one of his steadier outings of the season, going 5.2 innings and allowing just one earned run while battling through extended innings of pressure.
The nightcap told a different story—one of execution, response, and narrow margins. Clark again struck first in its second meeting with Lower Columbia, tying the game early after Kaeden Cruse delivered an RBI single in the third inning following an early Red Devils run.
Lower Columbia answered in the fourth and appeared to build control, but Garrett Maunu kept Clark within reach with a strong start on the mound. The right-hander worked seven innings, limiting damage and giving the Penguins a chance to stay in the game despite consistent traffic.
Clark continued to respond under pressure. After Lower Columbia added a run in the sixth, the Penguins answered immediately when Jase Pashales drove in a run on a sacrifice fly and Caleb Dale followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 3–3.
From there, both teams leaned on their bullpens in a tense finish. Lower Columbia finally broke through in the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Jackson Wendt that scored Sam Davidson for a 4–3 lead. Clark threatened but could not push across the equalizer late.
The Penguins finished the finale with five hits, with contributions from Cruse, Taylor, Taguchi, Peschel, and Dale. Dale also reached multiple times and drove in a run, while Clark again showed patience at the plate with six walks in the game.
Lower Columbia (37–7) relied on a steady pitching combination of Justin Fuller, Brendan Bowyer, and closer Matthew Kosderka, who shut the door with a scoreless final inning to secure the save.
Across both games, Clark showed clear competitive stretches—early leads, mid-game responses, and late pressure—but struggled to fully capitalize against a disciplined and deep Lower Columbia roster. The Penguins leave the series with evidence of progress in situational hitting and starting pitching consistency, even as the final results tilted toward the Red Devils.
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