Baseball opened its 2025 campaign at 7th-ranked Riverside and were swept by the host Tigers (17-4, 7-4, 12-8).  Riverside's bats were in mid-season form as they posted 36 runs over the three-game series.  The 8th-ranked Cougars replied with four runs in each of the first two games, while doubling their efforts and scoring eight in the finale.  Cuesta Starters Justin Cortez, Cooper Weeks and Reliever Tristan Usher were all saddled with a loss over the opening weekend.  On offense, all-WSC Infielder Sean Strittmatter led the way for the Cougars by recording a safety in each game, while scoring three times and driving in a fourth.  The sweep marked the Cougars' worst start since the Tigers and Orange Coast both swept them, 0-6, to open the 2015 season, however those Cougars, like the past five Cuesta squads, all rebounded to qualify for the CCCAA Regional Playoffs.  

Baseball shall enjoy a bye-week and return to action on February 4 (2 PM) at #16 Reedley.  The Cougars return to SLO to host for their home opener with a three-game series (Feb. 6-8) against Orange Coast that Friday (2 PM) and Saturday (10 & 1 PM).