Cougars Split Bay Area Road Trip, Sweep San Jose Before Battling Undefeated San Mateo

Game 1: Lassen 6, San Jose 1

Lassen opened the weekend on February 20 with a crisp 6–1 win over San Jose, setting the tone early with a four-run first inning. The Cougars came out aggressive and efficient, putting immediate pressure on San Jose’s defense and taking advantage of miscues (three San Jose errors on the day) to build a quick cushion.

Jenna Ku ignited the offense with a 3-for-4 day, scoring twice and consistently setting the table at the top of the order. Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai delivered the biggest swing, launching a home run and finishing with two RBIs, while Tristyn Lenz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Taylor Lauritsen chipped in two RBIs. Emma Wayas also drove in a run as Lassen totaled nine hits and got production throughout the lineup.

After the fast start, the Cougars stayed disciplined and added two more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 6–0. Even as the game settled into a pitching rhythm, Lassen continued to win at-bats, move runners, and keep pressure on the Spartans defensively, forcing San Jose to play clean baseball to stay within reach.

In the circle, Lauren Emery was in command, throwing a complete game and allowing just four hits and one run while striking out four. The shutout bid was broken in the seventh on a solo homer, but Emery closed the door immediately after to secure the win and give Lassen a strong start to the weekend.

Game 2: Lassen 11, San Jose 4

The Cougars completed the day sweep with an 11–4 victory in game two, using timely hitting and a late surge to pull away. Lassen struck first with two runs in the third and followed with three more in the fourth, turning a tight game into a controlled advantage through the middle innings.

At the plate, Lassen’s top of the order continued to produce. Taylor Lauritsen had a huge game with three hits and three RBIs, including a home run, while Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai stayed hot with three hits, a double, a home run, and two RBIs. Tristyn Lenz added three hits and two RBIs, and Nadia Velazquez drove in two to help the Cougars stack quality at-bats across the lineup.

San Jose kept competing and trimmed into the margin with a two-run sixth inning, but Lassen answered emphatically in the seventh with a five-run frame to slam the door. The Cougars stayed aggressive on the bases, getting steals from Lauritsen (two) and Jordin Maynard, and executed in key spots to turn late opportunities into runs.

In the circle, Ramona Ryder started and worked three innings, and Abby Lynn provided four solid innings of relief to earn the save-like finish, allowing two runs while striking out three. The pitching staff limited damage in big moments, and the Cougars’ late offensive response was the difference in a complete team win.

Game 3: San Mateo 6, Lassen 0

Lassen ran into a tough San Mateo squad on February 21 and couldn’t find the offensive breakthrough in a 6–0 loss. The Cougars battled early, holding San Mateo scoreless in the first and creating a few chances, but were unable to cash in as the game moved into the middle innings.

Lassen managed four hits—singles from Jenna Ku, Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai, Taylor Lauritsen, and Emma Wayas—but San Mateo’s pitching kept the Cougars from stringing together rallies. Lassen also faced pressure at the plate, finishing with six strikeouts, and left opportunities on base as San Mateo controlled counts and limited extra-base damage.

San Mateo built its lead with a steady scoring pattern, putting up two runs in the second and third innings before adding two more in the fifth. Much of the damage came via extra-base power, including multiple home runs from Katie Johnson, as the host team separated with big swings at key moments.

Lauren Emery went six innings for Lassen, striking out three but working through six walks and three home runs in a challenging matchup. Despite the setback, the Cougars continued to compete and looked to rebound quickly in the second game of the day.

Game 4: San Mateo 10, Lassen 2

In the finale, Lassen showed fight offensively but couldn’t slow San Mateo’s bats in a 10–2 loss in five innings. The Cougars were down early after San Mateo scored three runs in the first inning, and the host team continued to add on in each of the next four frames.

Lassen’s offense was highlighted by a solo home run from Lilinoe Kuhaulua-Leong, and Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai added an RBI as the Cougars produced six hits. Abby Robles reached base and scored, and Lassen continued to put the ball in play, but San Mateo’s timely power and consistent run production made it difficult to climb back.

San Mateo’s lineup delivered multiple extra-base hits, including home runs from Nia Mapa and Love Cabanas, and repeatedly turned baserunners into runs. Even when Lassen limited free passes, the margin grew because San Mateo delivered big hits with runners on and kept pressure on every inning.

Abby Lynn went four innings in the circle, striking out five while allowing 10 runs. The Cougars will take away positives from their early-weekend sweep of San Jose and use the San Mateo matchups as a measuring stick as they continue to prepare for the grind of the season ahead.