Cuesta Baseball, ranked #8 in the preseason State Poll, fell to 1-4 on the season, after dropping their 2025 Home Opener to visiting Orange Coast, 7-5.  The Cougars struck first with a run in the first inning on an RBI Single by Catcher Jack Gradel, but stranded two runners in the inning, which would be a game-long problem for the Cougars. The Pirates evened the game in their next at bat, but Cuesta Outfielder Jak Sinclair's three-run homer in the 3rd inning to give the Cougars back the lead, 4-1.  It did not take the Bucs long to even the contest again and caught the Cougars with three runs in the 5th, 4-4.  Orange Coast then added a single run in the 5th, 8th and 9th innings, while the Cougars posted only two hits and stranded seven runners heading into their final at-bat in the bottom of the 9th.  The Cougars had the makings of a late comeback, after First Baseman Tristan Usher walked and scored on a single by all-WSC Shortstop Victor Heredia.  In crunch time, Orange Coast turned to First Baseman Keith Aguilar, who slid over to the pitching mound.  Aguilar beaned Sinclair to put the potential winning run at the plate but struck out the next two Cougars to preserve the win and earn a save.   Cuesta Starter Justin Cortez went seven innings on the hill, but was saddled with the loss, while OCC Reliever Randy Limon's victory was saved by Aguilar.  The Bucs improved to 2-4 on the year, while the Cougars are now 1-4.  

Cuesta and Orange Coast are scheduled for a twinbill this Saturday in SLO.  The Cougars and Pirates throw out the first pitch at 10 AM, with the nightcap set to follow just 30 minutes after the final out of the opener.