Baseball Posts a Baker's Dozen on All-WSC Teams
Bell and Clothier Tabbed as All State
SAN LUIS OBISPO (May 23, 2024)— The Cuesta Baseball entered the 2024 campaign chasing a third straight Western State Conference title coming out of the pandemic but, despite winning one more game against the WSC Circuit than in 2023 (17-7 to 18-6), they had to settle for second place. Cuesta's regular season record of 30-13 easily earned them a nod for the post-season. The Cougars hosted a first round series, before reaching the CCCAA Super Regional for the first time since 2016. Cuesta finished the season 32-13 overall, which marked the program's most wins since winning 33 games in 2008. The team's success earned its players plenty of recognition as thirteen players were accorded all-WSC honors, while Third Baseman Mikey Bell and Outfielder Jack Clothier should be elevated to the all-State list, when it is announced after the CCCAA State Finals.
Freshman Third Baseman Mikey Bell was named to the 2024 All-Western State Conference First Team and held down both the middle of the Cougars' batting order and the "Hot Corner". Bell led the Cougars and finished 10th in the State with 13 home runs, which marked the highest total since Chad Gross also hit 13 dingers in 2008. Bell's team-leading 19 doubles were also the most by a Cougar since 2009 and landed him in the 6th spot statewide.
Sophomore Rightfielder Jack Clothier had the luxury of batting ahead of Bell in the Cougars' order and the pair of all-WSC First Teamers and All-State honorees provided the Cougars with a lethal one-two punch in their batting order. Clothier led the Cougars in nearly every offensive category that was not headed by Bell. He connected for a team-high 76 hits and a .378 average, which included a team-high five triples and finishing behind Bell with both 16 doubles and nine home runs. He also scored a team-high 56 runs, while grabbing Cuesta's #6 spot all time after driving in 66 runs, more than any Cuesta player since 2002. All five players ahead of Clothier on the Cuesta RBI list were former WSC Players of the Year, including former CCCAA State Players of the Year Aaron Davidson (1999), Chris Miller (2001) and Patrick Dobson (2002). He also displaced 2008 CCCAA State Player of the Year Quentin Cate, who moved down a notch to make room for Clothier.
Sophomore Diego Murillo returned to the diamond after Redshirting in 2023, while moving across the pivot from Second Base to Shortstop. Murillo ignited the Cougars' offense from the leadoff spot and helped hold down the middle of the infield on defense. Murillo also jumped from an all-WSC Honorable Mention pick in 2022 to the 2024 All-WSC First Team. This season he batted .294, while also soliciting 18 walks and posting team-highs with 13 hit-by-pitches (10th all time at Cuesta).
Freshman Outfielder Makani Nabarro distinguished himself amongst the Cougars' deep and talented outfield corps as one of the team's clutch performers. Nabarro seemed to be in the middle of every big moment this season, including scoring the winning run in the Cougars' playoff battle with Glendale. The 2024 All-WSC First Teamer, tied for third on the team with seven home runs and was 4thwith 39 runs scored, while batting .379 for the season. Nabarro is also the only member of the Cougars to garner a 2024 All-WSC Gold Glove.
Cuesta fell one honor short of a program record by landing six players on the WSC-circuit's Second Team. The 2024 All-WSC Second Team was loaded with Cougars, including three pitchers. Starters Andrew Seibert and Jackson Cloud were joined on the second squad by Reliever Lucas Ward. Seibert led the Cougars with 18 appearances, including eight starts, while working a staff leading 70.1 innings with a 4.48 ERA. Seibert led the Cougars with seven wins, against just two losses, and two saves. 2023 All-WSC Honorable Mention pick Jackson Cloud was elevated to the circuit's second team after his undefeated season. Cloud finished the season with a 5-0 record over a team-leading dozen starts. He also owned a 5.18 ERA over 64.1 innings or work. Reliever Lukas Ward made all-WSC Second Team out of the bullpen. He was 3-0 on the season with a team-high four saves, while posting a 3.38 ERA over 45.1 innings on the hill. Around the diamond, Second Sacker Sean Strittmatter was joined by Designated Hitter Pranav Sundar and Outfielder Nathan Reese on the WSC's second squad. Strittmatter did not settle into the Second Base position until early in the Cougars' WSC schedule but remained in the pivot the rest of the season. He batted .353 on the season, while adding 27 runs scored and 29 driven in. Sundar saw action in only six games as a freshman but secured first base early in the season. He hit .301 on the season with four home runs and 29 RBI. Outfielder Nathan Reese was a dual threat on offense, he led the Cougars with 17 stolen bases and slugged a .519 clip, including six home runs. His .988 fielding percentage was also the highest on the team: barring first base or catcher.
Three Cuesta Pitchers were tabbed as 2024 All-WSC Honorable Mention selections. Veteran Righthander Woody Brennan and freshman Relievers Austin Taylor and Jackson Howell. Brennan, who Redshirted in 2023, was almost unhittable during the regular season, but did miss some time due to injuries. In his one dozen regular season appearances, Brennan did not allow more than one earned run in a game and entered the post-season with a 4-2 record and a 0.42 earned run average. Taylor and Howell were the Cougars' left-right combination out of the bullpen, and they tied for the team lead with 17 appearances apiece. Taylor was 6-4 on the season with a 5.10 ERA over 42.1 innings of work, while Howell posted one win, one loss and one save during his 30 innings on the mound with a 5.40 ERA.
2024 Western State Conference Baseball Awards
3B- Mikey Bell- First Team
RF- Jack Clothier- First Team
SS- Diego Murillo- First Team
CF- Makani Nabarro- First Team, Gold Glove
RHP- Andrew Seibert- Second Team
RHP- Jackson Cloud- Second Team
RR- Lukas Ward- Second Team
2B- Sean Strittmatter- Second Team
DH- Pranav Sundar- Second Team
LF- Nathan Reese- Second Team
RHP- Woody Brennan- Honorable Mention
RL- Austin Taylor- Honorable Mention
RR- Jackson Howell- Honorable Mention
