Cuesta Baseball rode the arm of Starting Pitcher Tyler Smith to a 4-1 lead, but the visiting Santa Barbara City Vaqueros were able to hold the Cougars' offense and earn some runs off the bullpen to steal the game, 7-4.  Smith struckout nine and allowed just one unearned run, before handing the game off to the bullpen and that was the reprieve Santa Barbara needed.  The Vaqueros scored six runs over the next four innings, while the Cougars stranded five baserunners, including two in the bottom of the ninth.  On offense the Cougars outhit their foes, 8-6, however they also gave the Vaqueros 13 free baserunners on walks and hit by pitches. Cuesta Leadoff AJ Martinez joined First Baseman Tristan Usher and Designated Hitter Jacob Johnson as all three enjoyed a multi-hit game for the Cougars, while SBCC Third Baseman Benjamin Fabbian posted a game-high three hits for the Vaqueros.  The setback dropped the Cougars to .500 on the season, 8-8, while they moved to 3-2 in Western State Conference play.

Cuesta Baseball shall complete this week's three-game series with the Vaqueros back in Santa Barbara on Saturday (1 PM).  The Cougars return home to welcome Ventura next Tuesday (2 PM) as they kick-off another Western State Conference series.  Cuesta will also play the Pirates in Ventura on Thursday (2 PM), before welcoming them back to SLO to complete the series on Saturday (1 PM).