VANCOUVER, WA - The Clark College Penguins put together one of their strongest performances of the season Wednesday, sweeping a conference doubleheader against the Pierce College Raiders with a pair of dramatic wins at Kindsfather Field.
Clark rallied late for a 4-2 victory in the opener before grinding out a 1-0 pitchers' duel in the nightcap, improving to 17-22 overall and 12-10 in conference play.
The Penguins showed resilience throughout the afternoon, especially in Game 1 after falling behind 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning. Jase Pashales ignited the comeback with a solo home run to put Clark on the board and shift momentum toward the home dugout.
An inning later, the Penguins delivered the decisive rally. Drew Yount and DJ Ringenbach helped create traffic on the bases before Kobin Mullins lined a two-run single to give Clark its first lead of the game. Pashales followed with another clutch hit, driving in an insurance run with an RBI single to cap the four-run comeback.
Pashales finished the opener 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Mullins added two hits and two RBIs of his own.
Clark also received a standout pitching performance from Rylan Taguchi, who kept the Penguins within striking distance by allowing just two runs — only one earned — over eight innings while striking out five. Garrett Maunu closed out the ninth inning to secure the win.
The momentum carried into Game 2, where Clark's pitching staff dominated in a tense defensive battle. Starter Kaedon Cruse tossed six scoreless innings and struck out six, helping silence a Pierce lineup that threatened several times early.
Cole Robinson and Jacob Long bridged the middle innings before Trig Berens shut the door over the final 2 2/3 innings to earn the win.
With runs at a premium, the Penguins finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth inning. Parker Peschel started the rally with one of his two hits on the afternoon, and after Yount and Caden Taylor helped load the bases, Mullins worked a patient bases-loaded walk to force home the game's only run.
Peschel finished 2-for-3 in the nightcap, while Yount and Taylor added hits in support of Clark's combined shutout effort.
Across both games, the Penguins leaned on timely hitting, shutdown pitching, and composure in late-game situations to complete the sweep. Clark outscored Pierce 5-2 on the day and continued building momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
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