The Albany Cougars will challenge the Head-Royce Jayhawks at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Albany barely beat Saint Mary's the last time the pair played, but that sure wasn't the case this time around. The Cougars put the hurt on the Panthers with a sharp 16-3 victory on Tuesday. The home team had taken home the W every time these teams have met since April 27, 2023, but that streak is no more.
Tehya Hancock
| 04/14/26 @ Saint Mary's | 11 |
| 04/08/25 vs Campolindo | 10 |
| 03/07/26 vs Jesse M. Bethel | 7 |
| 04/25/25 vs San Rafael | 7 |
| 04/23/25 vs Hercules | 7 |
Tehya Hancock made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 11 batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and one unearned) runs off three hits (and not a single walk). Those 11 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs.
In other batting news, Lauren Jones and Mackenzie Marion did most of the damage at the plate: Jones went a perfect 3-for-3 with four stolen bases, four runs, and one double, while Marion went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one triple. That's the most hits Jones has posted since back in March of 2025. Gianna Muscardin was another key player, going 1-for-3 with three RBI and one stolen base.
Albany hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post two or more strikeouts.
While Head-Royce didn't have the best season last year (they finished 5-10), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past Lick-Wilmerding 15-5 on Tuesday.
Like Albany, Head-Royce also got a great game from a two-way player: Juno Yu. On the mound, Yu pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Meanwhile, Avery Rose pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Yu has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances. At the plate, Yu fired off three triples, four runs, and five RBI while going 4-for-4, while Rose went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, Cam Jonas was a standout: she went 2-for-3 with three runs, one triple, and one stolen base. That triple was her first of the season. The team also got some help courtesy of Abigail Kim, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs, one triple, and two RBI.
Head-Royce pushed their record up to 7-2 with the win, which was their fifth straight at home. Those home victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 4.0 runs on average over those games. As for Albany, their win bumped their record up to 7-2.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Albany hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .403. However, it's not like Head-Royce struggles in that department as they've averaged .403. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Albany beat Head-Royce 12-8 when the teams last played back in March of 2018. Do the Cougars have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Jayhawks turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
