Cuesta Softball reached the playoffs last season and has been the Western State Conference Runners-up the past two seasons, now the Cougars appear ready to take the next step. Cuesta opens the 2025 campaign at home this Tuesday (12/2 PM) with a doubleheader against Los Angeles Mission. The Eagles (ne' Free Spirit) shall make their first trip to the Central Coast since winning a darkness-shortened game in 2023. The Cougars shall also take their first road trip to Cerritos on Friday (1 PM). Cuesta Coach Jenel Guadangno, who formerly starred for Cerritos, is currently 0-4 against her Alma Mater and looking to upend the 11th-ranked Falcons.
The Cougars have rebuilt around a strong veteran core after earning the program's first playoff berth since 2015. Returning all-WSC First Team Infielder Kylyn Parker (pict) will hit near the top of the line-up and anchor the infield. She hit .394 as a rookie and scored 30 runs, while finishing second on the team with 11 stolen bases. The Cougars also bring back all-WSC Second Teamers Hailey Hallford and Danya Boyd. Hallford is fresh off a Team MVP performance for Cuesta Women's Soccer, while claiming her combined third all-Western State Conference honor. She is two-time all-WSC performer for Women's Soccer and earned all-WSC Second Team for Softball last Spring. In the Fall, Hallford led the Cougars in scoring, before bringing her elite athleticism from the expanse of the pitch to the friendly confines of the Cuesta Softball Field. Hallford batted .326 on the season, while scoring 27 runs and driving in 20 more. Boyd joined her on the all-WSC Second Team for Softball. She was one of Cuesta's top run producers, with 32 runs driven in, and batted .314 for the Cougars. Cuesta also brings back Starters Abigail Haller, Hailee Bussard, and Sky Fruetel. Haller and Bussard both hit over .300 last season and all three are expected to cover the Cougars' infield.