Cougars Sweep Butte on the Road to Stay Hot in Conference Play
Lassen College continued its strong conference push on March 27 with a doubleheader sweep over Butte College, taking game one 7-2 before surviving a late rally in a 4-3 win in game two. The Cougars combined timely hitting, dominant pitching, and clutch late-game execution to improve to 5-1 in conference play and continue building momentum in the Golden Valley Conference race.
Velazquez and Lenz Lead Offensive Surge in Game One
Lassen set the tone early in the opener and never looked back, collecting 11 hits in a convincing 7-2 victory. Nadia Velazquez was electric at the top of the lineup, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a run-scoring triple that helped seal the win. Tristyn Lenz also delivered a huge performance, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs to power the Cougar offense.
Jenna Ku and Taylor Lauritsen each added two hits, while Zoey Heffelfinger scored twice and continually pressured Butte on the bases. Lassen broke the game open in the fourth inning with four runs, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning and defensive miscues before Velazquez delivered a two-run single to extend the lead to 5-0.
In the circle, Abby Lynn threw a complete-game gem, allowing just two runs over seven innings while scattering eight hits. Even more impressive, Lynn did not issue a single walk and kept Butte from generating sustained momentum all afternoon. The Cougars also flashed strong defense, turning a double play behind Alyssa McOmie, Lilinoe Kuhaulua-Leong, and Jhan'z Kaawa-Kawai to help shut down a potential Butte rally.
Cougars Deliver in the Seventh to Complete Doubleheader Sweep
Game two proved to be much tighter, but Lassen once again delivered when it mattered most. Locked in a 1-1 battle entering the seventh inning, the Cougars erupted for three clutch runs before holding off a late Butte comeback to secure a 4-3 victory and finish the sweep.
Lilinoe Kuhaulua-Leong sparked the offense with two hits and two runs scored, while Tristyn Lenz continued her big day with another two-hit performance and a key RBI single in the seventh. Taylor Lauritsen delivered perhaps the biggest swing of the game, ripping a two-run double to extend Lassen’s lead to 4-1 in the final inning. Jhan'z Kaawa-Kawai also added an RBI double in the first inning to get the Cougars started early.
Ramona Ryder battled through all seven innings in the circle to earn the complete-game victory, allowing three runs while striking out three. Butte threatened late with a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh, but Ryder stayed composed and finished the job. Lassen’s offense, composure, and ability to execute in pressure moments once again showed why the Cougars were quickly becoming one of the toughest teams in conference play.