By Terra Avilla
The best part of writing for Susanville Stuff is that my wonderful boss (Jeremy) pretty much lets me write about whatever I want. So, this week, I am going to utilize this great perk of this gig and write about something that I just can’t help but want to share with you all.
Our Lassen College Baseball team has not only made it to playoffs, but we have ranked high enough for the first time in 20 years to host a playoff game at home.
Life in the Avilla household has been good this week. Busy but good. I have attached a little blurb from the head Skipper of this club, you all may know him as my better half, Coach Frank Avilla.
“This spring was a hard-fought season that involved many weekends that were affected due to weather and a ridiculous amount of travel. Every week our hustlin’ Cougs handled adversity chasing a GVC championship. We sat atop the GVC leader board occupying first place for all the season until the final week when we fell short.
“Our student athletes’ efforts and commitment over the last 16 weeks has landed them as the #9 ranked team in all of Northern California out of 42 community colleges. Our overall win/ loss record was 25-13 and 17-8 in GVC conference play. What this means is that for the first time in twenty years our baseball team will host the opening round of the State Northern California Regionals. We will be matched up against #16 seed College of Marin from the Bay Valley Conference.
“To help to get this team in shape and ready to play at home has been a tremendous team effort. Our coaching staff has been working like crazy physically and mentally preparing them to compete at this level. Coach Tyler Roper, new to the club this year, has been a crucial part in helping get our catchers where they need to be.
“Local heroes Casey Lee (yes, you know him – he is the president of Susanville Little League) has done tremendous work with our outfielders. Coach Scott Foreman is also a well-known name in our local baseball community due and you can catch that fella as one of our third base coaches. The addition of coaching pitch Mitch Lively has been wonderful this year as he and Donald Wanner help make sure our bull pen is ready to go.
“And then of course there is John Deal… who, well… if you know good ole JD… you know he is being “JD” which is quite literally enough.
“And of course there are the boys. These wonderful, talented, silly boys. From all over the country and if you catch a game this weekend, you might even be able to see our Aussie on the mound. They deserve the world and I hope and am asking our community to come out to support them.”
Obviously, the love that my family, (all five of us) have for these young men, is undeniable. They are just wonderful humans, come out and catch this historic baseball series and you will see why they are 46 reasons I love where we live.
Cougar playoff games at Memorial Park’s Frank Ernaga Field are scheduled for Thursday at 4:00p.m. and Friday at 11:00a.m. Visit LCC Baseball online or on Facebook to find out details.
