Cougars’ Season Comes to a Close After Strong Playoff Run Against Ohlone

After battling through one of the toughest schedules in Northern California and putting together a second-place conference finish, Lassen College saw its 2026 season come to an end in the regional playoffs against powerhouse Ohlone College. Despite the final results, the Cougars showed the toughness and competitiveness that defined their season, earning a playoff victory over Solano before facing one of the state’s top programs in a hard-fought two-game series.

Ohlone Silences Cougar Bats in Series Opener

Ohlone took the opening game of the series on May 2 with an 8-0 victory in Fremont behind strong pitching and timely hitting. Lassen scattered seven hits throughout the game but was unable to cash in offensively against Ohlone ace Matthew Anderson, who entered the postseason with an 11-1 record. Jackson Rosenthal led the Cougars offensively with two hits, while Damico Parker added two hits of his own and Ethan Beede and Cole Carnes each contributed base knocks.

For much of the afternoon, Lassen stayed within striking distance thanks to another gritty performance from Evan Rhoden. The sophomore battled through 5.1 innings and kept the game manageable early before Ohlone broke things open in the sixth and seventh innings. The Cougars also turned another pair of double plays defensively behind the middle infield combination of Kylan Kono and Roque Serrano, continuing a trend that had become a major strength all season long.

Although the offense could never generate the big inning it needed, Lassen continued to compete late into the game. The Cougars stranded 10 runners and consistently put pressure on Ohlone’s pitching staff, but timely hits proved difficult to find against one of the region’s top teams.

Cougars Fight Until the Final Out in Season Finale

Back home on May 3, Lassen once again battled one of California’s elite programs and refused to go quietly in a 9-5 defeat that closed out the Cougars’ season. Ohlone entered the game with 36 wins on the year, but Lassen answered every challenge and remained within reach deep into the contest before a late Ohlone push created separation.

The Cougars struck first in the opening inning when Ethan Beede delivered an RBI single to score Jack Zimmerman. Kyson Goates gave Lassen four strong innings on the mound, allowing just one run while working around traffic and keeping the game tied early. After Ohlone created separation in the middle innings, Lassen continued fighting. Roque Serrano drove in a run in the seventh before Jackson Rosenthal blasted a solo home run in the eighth to keep momentum alive heading into the ninth.

Even after Ohlone added insurance runs late, the Cougars continued swinging. Kylan Kono launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to cap the scoring and provide one final highlight for Lassen’s season. Zimmerman finished with two hits, Rosenthal homered and scored twice, and Kono drove in two runs in the finale.

While the playoff run came to an end, Lassen closed the year proving it belonged among Northern California’s best. The Cougars finished second in conference play, won a postseason game, and consistently showed resilience, toughness, and depth throughout the spring. Against elite competition in the postseason, Lassen never stopped competing — a fitting reflection of the culture the program built all season long.