Cuesta Baseball hosted local rival Allan Hancock for the second of their three Western State Conference (WSC) games scheduled this week.  The Cougars took the opener on Tuesday, 6-3, but Thursday's game in Santa Maria was rained out and rescheduled for this Sunday (1 PM), March 16. Today the Cougars connected for 16 safeties and for the first time this year every Cuesta batsman in the line-up collected at least one hit.  Cuesta jumped out to lead with two runs in the first inning, while First Baseman Tristan Usher's two-run homer in the 3rd inning provided all the runs they would need as they went on to win, 11-2.  In total, Usher drove in a game-high three runs on a game-high three hits, but he was just one of five Cuesta starters to enjoy a multi-hit game.  Designated Hitter Jacob Johnson enjoyed two extra-base hits on the day, with a solo home run in the 5th and an RBI-double in the 6th, while Outfielders Justin Lemaster and Jak Sinclair were joined by Shortstop Victor Heredia in the multi-hit parade.   

On the mound, Cuesta Starter Tyler Smith earned the winning decision, after he sent down the first six batters he faced and allowed only one earned run in six innings on the bump.  Relievers Marc Byrum and Gage Balderson came out of the bullpen to close out the last three innings of Smith's victory.  The duo combined to allow just two hits, while posting strikeouts in five of the Bulldogs last nine outs.

Cuesta, as previously noted, shall play the Bulldogs in Santa Maria on Sunday (1 PM), before jumping into the Cuesta/Hancock Spring Break Tournament next week.  The Cougars shall host three games at Cuesta, as they take a break from their WSC schedule.  Cuesta, currently unranked, hosts #7 Cypress on Wednesday (2 PM), #3 Fresno City on Thursday (1 PM), before closing with unranked Merced on Friday (1 PM).