The Clark College Women’s Softball Team played their final double-header of the season on Saturday, May 10 against the Clackamas Community College Cougars. The Cougars dominated the Penguins, winning game one 12-3 and game two 12-0.
    Sophomore Bailee Mayer started her final game for Clark College in game one. She got two quick outs then gave up a triple. That was then followed by a hit batsmen and a single. The Cougars took a 2-0 lead.
    Mayer struggled in the second inning giving up three hits which led to four more runs. Then a line drive hit Mayer in the foot. She immediately fell to the ground and grabbed at her foot. Coach Kasey Powers and Trainer Juliet Baker ran onto the field to tend to Mayer. After a few minutes Powers and Baker helped Mayer to her feet and off the field. This was the fourth injury over the past two days. “Field conditions cause for a lot of injuries,” Baker said. Kori Miller was brought in to replace Mayer.
    In the bottom of the second inning sophomore Kellie Preheim led off with a base hit which seemed to set a trend. Next up was fellow sophomore Lori Love who also got a base hit. That was followed by a hit from Catherine Martinez, Brooklyne Freeman and a three-run double by new pitcher, Miller. “That was a great inning after what happened to Mayer,” Powers said. That made the score 7-3 Cougars.
    The fourth inning got off to a bad start. There was an error, a passed ball, and then an RBI triple. Those errors were followed by a couple of hits that gave the Cougars three more runs.
    The Cougars added two more runs in the fifth inning and took game one 12-3.
    Catherine Martinez was the starting pitcher for game two. The Penguins dug a huge hole for themselves in the first inning. With a combination of walks, hit batsmen, passed balls and wild pitches the Cougars led 8-0.
    The Penguins managed only three hits and committed six errors in the game. The final score was 12-0.
    With this being the last game of the season it was tough for the girls to say goodbye. “It’s been a heart-breaker season—I love all the girls and thank them for their hard work,” Love said. “I have had a blast here at Clark, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
    “I want to tell the girls to keep having heart and believe in yourselves, because you can only improve,” Preheim said. “Catherine, good luck—you’re an awesome player.”
    “I think this team has really bonded, even though there was lots of drama at times,” Miller said. “I made a lot of friendships, but I’m relieved the seasons over.”
    “I’m really proud of these girls for the way they’ve battled,” Powers said. “I’m looking forward to those that are coming back next year and the new recruits.” Powers feels like this has been a building process and the softball team is set-up now for years to come. “I wish we could start the season tomorrow,” Powers said.