Cougars Dominate Home and Conference Openers with Doubleheader Sweep of Redwoods

Lassen College softball could not have scripted a better start to its home schedule or conference play. In the team’s home opener and conference opener, the Cougars swept Redwoods in commanding fashion, outscoring the visitors 20-0 across two run-rule victories and showing dominance in every phase of the game.

Lassen was sharp in the circle, clean defensively, and explosive at the plate throughout the day. The Cougars allowed just one hit in the doubleheader while piling up 29 hits of their own, sending a clear message to open conference action on their home field.

Emery Throws No-Hitter as Cougars Roll to 9-0 Win

Lassen opened the day with a statement performance, blanking Redwoods 9-0 behind a no-hitter from Lauren Emery and a balanced offensive attack. In the program’s home opener and conference opener, the Cougars wasted little time showing they were ready for the moment.

Emery was in complete control from the first pitch, not allowing a hit over six innings while striking out four. Redwoods never found any rhythm at the plate, and Lassen’s defense backed Emery with a clean, error-free game behind her. It was the kind of complete outing that immediately gave the Cougars momentum.

At the plate, Lassen steadily built its lead. The Cougars scored once in the first, then broke the game open with three runs in the fourth, three more in the fifth, and two in the sixth. Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai led the charge with a huge game, finishing with a home run, a double, and three RBIs. Taylor Lauritsen added two RBIs, Abby Robles drove in two more, and Alyssa McOmie chipped in an RBI as well.

Lassen’s lineup stayed aggressive and productive from top to bottom, collecting 12 hits while putting constant pressure on Redwoods. Nadia Velazquez and Lilinoe Kuhaulua-Leong each scored twice, and the Cougars never gave Redwoods a chance to settle in. It was a strong opening win made even more impressive by the way Lassen controlled the game from start to finish.

Cougars Stay Hot, Blast Redwoods 11-0 to Finish Sweep

If the first game set the tone, the second game only reinforced it. Lassen stayed red-hot in the nightcap, pounding out 17 hits in an 11-0 win to complete the doubleheader sweep and cap a perfect start to conference play.

The Cougars came out swinging right away, erupting for six runs in the first inning and immediately putting Redwoods on its heels. Lassen added five more in the third, turning the game into another runaway. Jenna Ku had a perfect day at the plate with three hits, while Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai and Tristyn Lenz each drove in three runs to fuel the offense.

Taylor Lauritsen stayed productive with two more RBIs, Zoey Heffelfinger added another, and nearly every spot in the lineup contributed. Lassen’s approach was relentless, with hard contact all over the field and runners constantly in motion. The Cougars finished with 17 hits and looked comfortable, confident, and aggressive throughout.

In the circle, Abby Lynn matched the tone set in game one by holding Redwoods to just one hit over five shutout innings. Combined with Emery’s no-hitter earlier in the day, Lassen pitching allowed only one hit in the entire series. It was a dominant home-opening sweep and exactly the kind of start the Cougars wanted as conference play got underway.