Cuesta Softball shall complete the 2026 season on the road with a Western State Conference game at Santa Monica on Tuesday (2 PM).  In their first meeting, the Cougars beat the Corsairs, 16-1, in a five-inning, run-rule victory.  The Corsairs, who have only played a conference schedule this Spring, are remain winless and are still chasing their first win of the season.  The Cougars should be wary of an improved Santa Monica team that has scored 18 runs over their past three games, after scoring only 20 runs in their 11 previous outings.  The Cougars, who have dropped five of their past six outings, are looking to finish strong.  The Cougars' record-breaking offensive output has not translated into many wins this season, but Cuesta's 36 home runs this season continue to lead the State, while also representing a new Cuesta Record.  Third Baseman Addy Finegan (pict) sits atop the State leader board with a school record of 20 round-trippers, while only two players in the State can boast more than her 60 runs batted in.  However, Finegan, who is batting an even .500 for the season, is still chasing Cuesta Centerfielder Cierra Cloud for the team batting title. Cloud, who boasts 29 extra base hits and a team-high 20 stolen bases, continues to pace the team with a .521 batting average.  

 

Last Tuesday, the Cougars lost a heartbreak game at Santa Barbara.  The Cougars jumped out to an eight-run lead in the first four innings and appeared to be en route to a run-rule triumph, when the Vaqueros struck back.  The Vaqueros posted five hits with seven runs in the 4th inning to close the gap and force the game to go the distance.  Cuesta managed only two more singles in the game, while Santa Barbara, who was wary enough to issue a walk to Finegan, manufactured the tying and go-ahead runs the old-fashioned way.  The Vaqueros, after a leadoff single, evened the game on a triple, before squeezing in the go-ahead run to take the game, 9-8.  The Cougars are now 12-14 overall and tied with Santa Barbara for 4th place in the WSC, at 4-7 against the circuit.