Cuesta Softball, after a pair of rescheduled dates, finally got to host #3 Monterey Peninsula. The Lobos entered the day with only a single blemish on their record, but the Cougars doubled that number by winning the opener, 10-9. Cuesta set the pace for most of the game, but the Lobos posted three runs in their final regulation at-bat to force extra innings. MPC took the lead with a run in the top of the 8th, but Cuesta came back with a pair of runs to win the game, while also leaving the bases loaded with only one out- just in case. The Cougars kept rolling in the nightcap and posted five runs in their first two at-bats to take a commanding lead, but there is a reason the Lobos are ranked #3 in the State, and they began to rally, while the Cougars' offense stalled. Monterey Peninsula took advantage of a two-out error to post three runs in the 3rd inning and pounced after another Cuesta miscue to tie the game in the 6th inning, while the Cougars' offense stalled with only two more hits over the last five innings of regulation play. Both teams opted for the international tie-breaker rule for the 8th inning, which they had forgone in Game 1. In the top of the inning, the Lobos were able to move their automatic runner at second base to third on a throwing error and took the lead on a groundout, while the Cougars were unable to score and were forced to split the series, 6-5.
Cuesta Centerfielder and Leadoff Emily Valdez was the Cougars catalyst on offense. She was 6-for-8 in the twinbill, including a double and a home run, while scoring five of her team's 15 runs on the day and driving in two more. Her partner out in the yard, Leftfielder Kaylynn Gray (pict) also enjoyed a pair of three-hit games. Gray went 6-for-9 on the day, including a double and a triple, while driving in seven runs.
Today's split left the Cougars at .500 on the season, at 12-12, and they shall return to their Western State Conference schedule next week. They are back in action on Monday (2:30) in Santa Maria against local rival Allan Hancock and remain on the road to play WSC foe Moorpark on Tuesday (2:30). The Cougars return home on Thursday (2:30) to complete their three-game, non-conference series against Citrus. The Cougars and Owls split their first two games back on March 7.