Cuesta Baseball hosted local rival Allan Hancock for a Western State Conference contest and were able to beat the red-hot Bulldogs, 13-12. Cuesta lost at Allan Hancock, 7-6, on Tuesday and, after a rainout on Thursday, the Cougars rallied in the bottom of the 9th of today's game to snap the Bulldogs' 11-game winning streak, 13-12. Both teams went scoreless over the first three frames, however the Bulldogs struck first with four runs in the 4th and another in the 5th inning for a 5-0 lead. Cuesta pulled within one after Centerfielder Nathan Reese connected for a bases clearing Triple, and then scoring one batter later. The Cougars were able to knot the game in the next inning on Anthony Cannavino's pinch-hit home run and the took their first lead after the Bulldogs misplayed a flyball and allowed another Cuesta tally. The Cougars scored an insurance run after the stretch, but they could not keep the Bulldog's bats quiet. Hancock posted another 4-spot in the 8th, which Cuesta matched the bottom half of the inning. The Bulldogs finally took back the lead and scored three runs in the 9th, including two tallies on an error during a potential game-ending play. Down by a run in the bottom of the 9th, Cuesta had two outs and a man on first when Third Baseman Mikey Bell (pict) crushed a two-run Home Run to give the Cougars the final victory, 13-12. Bell was one of seven Cuesta Batsmen to enjoy a multi-hit game and tied with teammate Jack Clothier and the Bulldogs' Catcher Bridger Coleman with three safeties apiece. Cuesta Reliever Justin Cortez, thanks to Bell's heroics, was credited with the Win, while Allan Hancock's Cooper Bagby was saddled with the loss, despite both hurlers allowing six runs, while earning just five outs on the hill. The victory improves Cuesta's record to 11-7 over and 4-3 against the Western State Conference, while the Bulldogs lost their streak and fell to 13-5 overall and 7-1 in the WSC circuit.
The Cougars and Bulldogs complete this week's three-game series back in Santa Maria tomorrow (1 PM).
