Lassen Falls to Shasta After Late Inning Surge

Lassen College came out swinging against Shasta on Friday, building an early lead before falling 7-4 after a late-game surge by the Knights. The Cougars wasted no time, plating three runs in the first inning behind Mitchell Basterrechea’s three-run home run. Kylan Kono added an RBI single in the second, giving Lassen a 4-0 advantage. Starting pitcher Kyson Goates kept Shasta in check early, allowing just one run over five strong innings.

Shasta flipped the script in the sixth inning, erupting for six runs to take control of the game. Caden Illingworth delivered the biggest blow with a three-run homer, while Daniel Osborne, Spencer Lee, and Patrick Bowen each drove in key runs. Lassen reliever Wyatt Culbertson struggled, giving up three runs without recording an out, allowing the Knights to seize momentum.

Despite Lassen’s nine-hit effort, Shasta’s pitching staff tightened up, shutting out the Cougars over the final seven innings. Ethan Beede and Kono led the way with two hits apiece, but Lassen couldn’t string together the offense needed for a comeback. Meanwhile, Shasta added an insurance run in the eighth to put the game out of reach.

With the loss, Lassen will look to regroup before their next matchup.