Lassen College's baseball team split two games with College of the Redwoods to start its defense of the Golden Valley Conference crown. The Cougars (5-7) pounded the Corsairs 8-0 in the first game of a home doubleheader Saturday, March 3 and lost 11-10 in the final inning of the second game.

Lassen starting pitcher Matt Christensen was masterful in the first game, hurling a two-hitter through seven innings with the help of four strikeouts and just one walk.

The Cougars were errorless in the field and collected eight hits.

Chris Wainhouse went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Dayton Hendricks also had two hits and Colby Gonzales had two-run single to spark a five-run first inning.

Redwoods responded in the second game, taking a 5-1 lead into the fourth inning. Lassen came back with two runs in the fourth and four in the fifth to tie the score at 7-7.

The Corsairs scored once in the top of the seventh, but line-drive doubles by Joel Hoffman and Wainhouse gave the Cougars a 9-8 lead with two outs to go.

Lassen reliever Dan Bria could hold on, giving up three runs on a bases-loaded double in the right-field corner.

Justin Serrano had a two-run double in the fourth inning.

The Cougars host Feather River in one game at 2 p.m. Friday, March 9. The two teams then square off in a noon doubleheader the following day in Quincy. Feather River entered with a No. 15 preseason ranking.