Cougars Respond in Big Way to Earn Split with Feather River

Lassen College showed resilience and toughness during a challenging conference matchup against Feather River College on April 7. After dropping the opener 8-0, the Cougars regrouped and answered with one of their grittiest wins of the season, rallying late for a dramatic 4-1 victory in game two behind dominant pitching and a clutch swing from Jhan'z Kaawa-Kawai.

Feather River Takes Opener Despite Emery’s Effort in Circle

Feather River came out swinging in game one and used an explosive third inning to pull away for an 8-0 victory. The visitors collected 13 hits and capitalized on defensive miscues to take control early, but Lassen continued battling throughout the contest against one of the top teams in the conference.

Taylor Lauritsen recorded the Cougars’ lone hit with a sharp single, while Tristyn Lenz drew a walk and continued to battle tough at-bats against Feather River ace Brittney Byram. Although the offense struggled to generate momentum, Lassen continued to compete defensively and never stopped fighting despite the deficit.

Lauren Emery worked all five innings in the circle, striking out two against a dangerous Feather River lineup that featured multiple extra-base hits. The Cougars faced constant pressure but continued battling against a team that had already established itself as one of the conference favorites.

Kaawa-Kawai’s Walk-Off Blast Lifts Cougars to Emotional Win

Lassen responded in emphatic fashion in game two, stunning Feather River with a dramatic three-run home run from Jhan'z Kaawa-Kawai in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure a thrilling 4-1 victory and earn a split of the doubleheader.

Locked in a 1-1 game entering the final inning, the Cougars put together one final rally. Nadia Velazquez reached base to ignite the inning before Tristyn Lenz delivered one of her two hits of the game. Moments later, Kaawa-Kawai crushed a walk-off three-run homer that sent the Cougar dugout into celebration and capped one of Lassen’s biggest wins of the season.

Abby Lynn was outstanding in the circle, throwing a complete-game masterpiece against a potent Feather River offense. Despite allowing 13 hits, Lynn surrendered just one run while keeping the Golden Eagles from delivering timely damage. Taylor Lauritsen added two hits, Jenna Ku and Alyssa McOmie each contributed offensively, and the Cougars once again showed the toughness and belief that had become a defining trait of the program.