Lassen Walks Off American River 9-8 in Thrilling Finish

Lassen College's baseball team pulled off a dramatic 9-8 walk-off victory against American River College on March 11, 2025. After a strong start with a 4-2 lead in the first inning, Lassen saw American River take control, including a four-run fourth inning that gave the Beavers a 6-4 lead. However, Lassen kept fighting back, with timely hits from Jack Zimmerman and Jackson Rosenthal. Zimmerman’s two-RBI single in the fifth and Rosenthal’s two-RBI single in the sixth helped the Cougars tie the game at 8-8.

The game entered the bottom of the ninth tied, and it was here that Lassen's offense found a way to seal the win. With one out and a runner on second, Kylan Kono hit a clutch single to center, bringing home the game-winning run and giving Lassen a thrilling walk-off victory. Kono’s walk-off hit capped off a strong performance, as he contributed two runs and an RBI throughout the game.

The Cougars’ pitching staff, especially Kyson Goates, who earned the win after a scoreless ninth inning, held strong after American River had tied the game in the eighth. American River’s Dylan Westbrook, who pitched six solid innings, couldn’t finish the game, allowing the Cougars to capitalize in the late innings. Despite some struggles, the Cougars' defense and timely hitting kept them in the game until the final moments.

Lassen’s offense was well-distributed, with key performances from Zimmerman, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Rosenthal, who drove in two runs. American River’s Jayden Reynolds, who homered and drove in three runs, led the Beavers' offense. Ultimately, it was Lassen’s ability to stay composed in the clutch and score when it mattered most that led them to their hard-earned walk-off victory.