Cuesta Softball finally got a chance to play their twice postponed doubleheader against Western State Conference Interdivisional foe Bakersfield. The day cleared up on the Cougars scheduled, because their fellow WSC-North opponent Los Angeles Pierce has forfeited the remainder of the season. The Cougars inked Bakersfield and added the forfeit, plus two more wins on the diamond, against visiting Renegades, to their record. In a pair of games highlighting great pitching and clutch hitting, as the Cougars came from behind, twice, to sweep the twinbill. Cuesta is now, officially, 14-10, including their April 17 forfeit from Pierce.
In the day's opener, Bakersfield's Leadoff Sadie Salas singled to open the game and came around on a single, a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to put the first run on the board. The Cougars took a brief lead after Brooklyn Neenan's two-run Homer in the 2nd inning, but the Renegades took advantage of a pair of hits and pair of miscues by the Cougars to reclaim their advantage, 3-2. Cuesta bats went quiet for the next three innings with nine straight outs, but they returned in the 6th. All-WSC Infielder Kylyn Parker singled to lead off the frame and immediately stole second base to get in scoring position. The move worked to perfection, as Outfielder Cierra Cloud clouted a Double to score Parker and tie the game. Three batters the bases were loaded with Cougars, when Abigail Haller singled in Maddie Sheadel for the go-ahead run. Cuesta Starter Shelbi Griffith completed her victory, 4-3, with a scoreless 7th inning.
The nightcap was another low-scoring affair, but this time Sienna Lowry took the pitching circle to tame the visiting Renegades. The game had a familiar start, as Bakersfield Shortstop Sadie Salas, once again, opened the game with a Single and came around to give the Renegades the early lead, 1-0. Lowry gave up eight hits in the game but held Bakersfield to that lone run. On offense, Cuesta scattered five hits over the first four innings and were still chasing Bakersfield's initial score going into the 5th inning, trailing 1-0. A leadoff single by Catcher Sophia Edwards and a Pinch-hit Double by Cloud had the Cougars with two runners in scoring position with two outs. Third Baseman Addison Finegan Walked to load the bases, while all-WSC Shortstop Danya Boyd broke the game open with a bases-clearing Double. Lowry, with the sweep in sight, closed out the complete victory with a scoreless final inning for the win, 3-1.
The Cougars, 14-10 overall, continue their homestand this Thursday (2:30), when they host Santa Monica in a return to WSC-North Division play. The Cougars shall also continue to honor their other rained-out games from earlier in the season, including a doubleheader against Hartnell College in Salinas this Saturday (12/2). The Cougars next home game is April 3 (2:30), when they host Oxnard in WSC play.
