Clark baseball season ends with another split against SWOCC

Penguins finish year above .500 despite not making postseason

By Jeff Klein, Columbian sports staff

Published: May 12, 2018, 8:55pm

Clark College’s Chaz Lopez shags fly balls during batting practice prior a game at Kindsfather Field. Lopez is an effective pitcher, hitter and can play either outfield corner for the Penguins. (Jeff Klein/The Columbian)

The Clark College baseball season ended short of the NWAC playoffs on Saturday as the Penguins split the regular-season finale doubleheader with Southwestern Oregon at Kindsfather Field.

The Penguins’ fate was sealed with a 17-11 loss in the first game. Clark was outhit 20-7 in the game that lasted 4 hours, 24 minutes.

Chaz Lopez was 2 for 5 with a home run and five RBI. Nathaniel Affonso also homered for Clark (22-21, 13-17 NWAC South).

The Penguins did finish the season on a high note, clinching a winning record for the year with a 10-4 win in the second game that went just five innings.

Lopez was 3 for 3 with a double and four RBI. Sasha Jabusch pitched a three-hitter with six strikeouts and a walk.

Clark finished fifth in the South standings, needing a fourth place or better to reach the postseason. Mt. Hood and Chemeketa tied for third at 14-16, one game in front of the Penguins for the final two playoff spots. Linn-Benton won the South region at 29-1, and Lane was second at 16-14.

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