Baseball tacked up four runs in the 1st inning and rode that to a win, 7-5, over Ventura in the two rivals final Western State Conference game of the season.  The Pirates came into the contest 1.5 games behind the loop leading Cougars in the WSC standings and left 2.5 games behind with six contests left to play.  Cuesta's Outfield was the key to victory and led the Cougars on offense.  Centerfielder Kayne Ross enjoyed a 3-for-4 day at the plate, while scoring once and driving in two runs, while Rightfielder Mattias Sessing (pict) went 2-for-4 and put the game out of reach with a solo Home Run in the 6th inning.  The Cougars also used four pitchers to hold the Pirates' bats in check.  Reliever Joseph Yeutter was the first pitcher out of the bullpen and earned the decision after spelling Starter Dane Truer in the 3rd inning.  Yeutter allowed just one unearned run, before handing a 5-3 lead to Woody Brennan.  Brennan was brilliant in long relief, until a couple of singles, a passed ball and a Sacrifice Fly chased him the 8^th inning. Southpaw Josh Souza squashed any chance of a Pirate comeback and set down five of the six batters he faced to earn his team-leading third save of the season.  The win completes the Cougars' four-game, season-sweep of the Bucs and moves their lead over 2nd place Santa Barbara City, who lost at Oxnard today, to two full games.   Cuesta, ranked 25^th in the State, currently boasts a 21-13 overall record, as well as a 14-4 mark against the WSC loop.   

Cuesta's game with local rival Allan Hancock, who is now out of contention for the WSC Crown, has been changed due to pending inclement weather.  The Cougars and Bulldogs shall play at Cuesta at 3 PM tomorrow, April 20th, instead of Thursday.