Tacoma, WA- Clark College battled throughout a Saturday doubleheader against Pierce College, showing offensive flashes and competitive pitching performances despite dropping both games at Ft. Steilacoom Park.
Pierce claimed the opener 11-4 before holding off Clark 5-3 in the nightcap.
In game one, the Penguins stayed within striking distance midway through the contest after a three-run sixth inning cut Pierce's lead to 4-3.
Kobin Mullins started the rally with an RBI knock before Rylan Taguchi delivered the biggest hit of the inning, lining a two-run double that scored Reece Fisher and Jase Pashales. DJ Ringenbach later added an RBI groundout to plate Clark's third run of the frame.
Mullins finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Taguchi went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks. Lucas Tiernan, Caleb Dale and Drew Yount also contributed hits for the Penguins.
Starter Garrett Maunu kept Clark competitive through five innings, allowing four runs while striking out two. Pierce eventually pulled away with a five-run seventh inning fueled by multiple extra-base hits from Jackson Copeland and Andrew Dyk.
The Penguins answered with another run in the ninth when Mullins drove in Tiernan on a fielder's choice.
Clark carried momentum into the second game and jumped out early with runs in three of the first four innings.
Mullins opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single that brought home Drew Yount. In the second, Lucas Tiernan added a sacrifice fly to score DJ Ringenbach and give Clark a 2-1 lead.
The Penguins extended the advantage to 3-1 in the fourth inning when Ringenbach singled home Taddeo Ituarte.
Ringenbach paced the offense in the finale, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Tiernan added two hits and an RBI. Mullins and Kaedon Cruse also collected hits as Clark totaled eight hits in the game.
On the mound, Kenneth Hall struck out three over two innings in the start, while Jaydyn Palacios, Cole Robinson and Ethan Scott combined in relief. Scott closed the final two innings without allowing a run and struck out two.
Pierce rallied in the fifth inning on a two-run single from Tristan Ringrose before Ringrose delivered the decisive blow in the seventh with a two-run double to put the Raiders ahead for good.
Despite the losses, Clark remained competitive throughout the day, recording 17 hits across the doubleheader while continuing to battle in conference play.
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