It took eleven innings, but the Cougars were able to take their second win in their three-game series against #10 Saddleback.  The visiting Bobcats took the opener, 10-5, on Thursday, but the Cougars came back with a pair of one-run wins on Friday, 6-5, and in extra innings today, 7-6.  In the series finale, the Bobcats scored twice in the first inning, however the Cougars chased them down and in the second inning, and they remained knotted at four runs apiece until the 7th inning stretch.  The Cougars scored a pair of unearned runs after the stretch and were on their way to victory, when Saddleback re-tied the game in their final turn at the plate and pushed the game into extra innings at 5-5.   Sophomore Right-Hander Jack Stannard (pict) was sent to the mound for the Cougars and held Saddleback scoreless, while stranding three Bobcat baserunners in the 10th and 11th innings.  The Cougars entered the bottom of the 11th, five innings removed from their last base-hit, but, after a flyout, a hit by pitch, and a fielder's choice, Pinch Hitter Hank Hansen doubled in Gavin Colombo for the win, 7-6.  The Cougars, who began the season 0-3, completed their pre-Conference schedule with a 6-7 record.

 

Cuesta Baseball begins its 2026 Western State Conference schedule with a three-game series against Oxnard.  The Cougars will play in Oxnard in both Tuesday (2 PM) and Saturday (1 PM), while hosting the Condors in SLO on Thursday (2 PM).