Baseball won the first game in this week's three game series against Moorpark, 8-7, despite taking a 7-1 lead in the first three frames.  The Raiders took advantage by combining three hits and an error to finally chase Cuesta Starter Jackson Cloud in the 6th, but the Cougars' bullpen held.  Relievers Jackson Howell and Lukas Ward came in to finish the game, with Ward earning a three-inning Save, while the offense added a run the next inning to preserve Cloud's victory.   Seven Cuesta players enjoyed a multi-hit game, including the team's double-play combination.  Second Baseman Sean Strittmatter and Shortstop Diego Murillo each had a game-high three hits in the contest and combined to score three runs.  

Cuesta remains in a virtual tie with local rival Allan Hancock atop the Western State Conference (North).  The Bulldogs are a half-game ahead, 10-3 to 9-3, due to a Cuesta postponement against Ventura.  The Cougars still own the bragging rights after taking two of three against the Bulldogs, but first they have two more games against Moorpark and then the vaunted Cuesta-Hancock Spring Break Tournament.  The Cougars play the Raiders in Moorpark on Thursday (3/21) and then close the series on Saturday (3/23) back in SLO. The 11th-ranked Cougars are scheduled to host East Los Angeles, 2nd-ranked Cypress, and Merced in the three-game tournament (March 27-29).

Coach Bob Miller earned his 500th career victory after the Cougars swept their series against Los Angeles Pierce last week.  Today, he claimed his 501st victory and has set his on the Cougars all-time win title.  He trails only Hall of Fame Water Polo Coach Terry Bowen, who led Cuesta Men's Water Polo to 556 victories in his 25-year career and current Cuesta Men's Basketball Coach Rusty Blair.  Blair, in his 32nd year, just past Bowen a month ago and holds the current title at 559 victories.  Congratulations to Coach Miller and Cuesta Baseball!!!

Cuesta College's Winningest Coaches (400+)

Rusty Blair, Men's Basketball (1993-Present); 559-423

Terry Bowen, Men's Water Polo (1979-2003); 556-238-16

Bob Miller, Baseball (2003-Present); 501-339-3

Larry Lee, Baseball (1987-2002); 460-241-3

Ed Musolff, Women's Basketball (1981-2010); 427-418

John Marsh, Men's Water Polo (2004-2022); 425-204-1

Pete Schuler, Women's Water Polo (1999-2020); 405-264-3