Lassen College Baseball: 2018 Season Outlook

Spring baseball is here. The Lassen College Cougars are coming off an outstanding 2017 campaign which included their first postseason appearance in nearly a decade. Many accomplishments were achieved which included eight sophomore scholarships, as well as two freshmen receiving Division 1 scholarships.

This continues the tradition of 100 percent transfers and scholarships during the tenure of Head Coach Frank Avilla. Last but not least was a free agent signing with the Seattle Mariners. To say the least, the Hustlin' Cougs are headed in the right direction and do not expect to slow down anytime soon. The spring of 2018 is led by an outstanding coaching staff including former players Noah Markel, Avery Brandon, Donald Wanner, and Davis Murphy. Their staff also returns hitting and infield coach Eric Perry for his fourth season and longtime Lassen Cougar assistant John Deal for his 29th season.

Lassen College baseball returns a strong sophomore class from its playoff team in 2017. Leading these young men is 2017 Golden Valley Conference Conference MVP and All-State third baseman Eric Carlson. Carlson signed early with Oklahoma Baptist University in the fall of 2017. He's also accompanied by other strong sophomore support including 2017 All-Conference second baseman Ryan Thomasy, sophomore outfielder Robert Lujan, pitcher Jared Kiessling, and utility player Tiler Whiteaker just to name a few.

Thomasy believes the Cougars will have a strong chance of repeating success in 2018. "We as a team are ready to give our best effort at a conference championship," said Thomasy. "We are a close group of guys that are all behind each other and rooting for everyone to do well. We don't care who plays. We just want to win."

The Cougars have also blended this strong sophomore class with a very promising freshman class of guys from Southern Oregon, Reno, Nevada, and Northern California. Even though the Lassen College Cougars are very excited, they know that taking the season lightly will not be an option due to a very tough non-conference schedule to open the 2018 season.

Head Coach Frank Avilla returns for his seventh season at the helm of Cougar baseball and is optimistic. "We as a baseball program are very humble and excited to embrace another journey as a baseball program and continue the grind. I'm grateful every day for an outstanding staff and a team of sophomores and freshman who have sacrificed and prepared like champions."

Avilla also understands that potential only goes so far. He stated, "the rubber will meet the road very soon. If this group of guys can focus on the process of consistently competing, learning, and willing to sacrifice as a team, we should be able to get better every day while accomplishing the many goals set for the 2018 season."

Lassen College opened up their 2018 campaign on the road with a 4-1 and 17-3 win on Friday (January 26) against host Porterville College.