Baseball dropped its season finale to #19 Orange Coast, 4-2, to fall to 3-3 on the season. Both teams scored two unearned runs, but a pair of defensive miscues gifted the visiting Pirates the advantage and the victory.  The two teams were tied at 1-1 going into the 6th inning, where the Pirates connected for only one hit, but took the lead, 2-1, on a bases loaded walk. Orange Coast added two insurance runs in the next frame to secure the victory.  On the day, the Cougars outhit the Bucs, 7-6, including a double and home run, but stranded a dozen runners on-base, twice as many as Orange Coast. Designated Hitter Liam MacDonald and Second Baseman Isaiah Munoz each had two hits in the game, including MacDonald's solo home run, to lead the Cougars on offense.    Cuesta Starter Robinson Lardner took the loss, despite allowing only two unearned runs over six innings of work, while striking out six Pirates.  

Cuesta returns to action next week with four games on the schedule.  The 10th-ranked Cougars travel to #17 Reedley on Tuesday (2 PM) to play the Tigers and return home for a three-game series against #16 College of the Sequoias.  The Cougars and Giants begin their series on Thursday (2 PM) and also play on Friday (1 PM) and Saturday (Noon)

Photo courtesy of Emily Valdez