Cuesta Baseball answered the call on the first day of the season.  The Cougars, ranked 8th in the Pre-season Regional Poll, are hosting #3 Riverside for a season-opening three-game series and, today the visiting Tigers came out swinging in game that went down to the final out. After a slow start, Riverside broke a scoreless tie with two runs in both the 4th and 5th innings, but the Cougars took them all back with four runs of their own in the bottom of the 5th.   The Cougars patiently used three walks and a single to open the frame to chase Tiger Starter Julian Cazares and plated two more off the bullpen to tie the game on Pranav Sundar's double.  Cuesta took the lead for good in the next inning, after a walk and hit by pitch put the Cougars' back into scoring position and Second Baseman Aidan Botti singled to drive in two more runs.  Cuesta Reliever Austin Taylor held Riverside in check for the next two innings but was lifted for Andrew Seibert after walking the first batter of the 8th inning.  The Tigers were able to build on the walk and loaded the bases against Seibert, who coaxed a groundout to get out of the jam.  The Cougars' offense slowed and closed the game with seven straight outs, but their pitching held.  Riverside pulled within a run in the top of the 9th, but Seibert stranded the tying run at second base as he struckout the final Tiger to Save the win for Taylor.  

The Cougars were outhit by the visiting Tigers, 9-4, but Freshman Leadoff Makani Nabarro ignited the Cougars' offense with a pair of hits and a run scored.  Riverside Catcher Richard Tejeda led all hitters with a game-high three hits, including a double, but was lifted for a pinch runner in the 8th inning.  The Cougars are 1-0 on the season and complete their season-opening homestand against Riverside this Saturday (1 PM) and Sunday (Noon)