Baseball holds a three-game lead in the Western State Conference standings with nine games left on the loop's schedule, including this week's three-game series with Santa Barbara.  The Cougars host the Vaqueros who are currently tied for second place, on Tuesday (2:30) and Thursday (2:30) and travel to Santa Barbara's Pershing Park to play on Friday (2:30).  This series completes the first round of WSC play.  The loop takes a one-week break before Easter and then plays a round of single-games to end the regular season.  Cuesta has swept four of their five WSC three-game series, however local rival Allan Hancock, currently eight games back in 5th place, was able to deliver Cuesta's only setbacks.  The Bulldogs took two of three from the Cougars, despite being outscored, 33-30, during the series. 

The Cougars completed their sweep of Oxnard with a road win over the Condors on Saturday, 5-1.  Returning Freshman Nico Martinez (pict) went the distance to earn the decision, while Third Baseman Zach Tallerman (pict) continued to power the Cougars' offense.   Tallerman went 6-for-14 against the Condors last week; including a double, a triple and two home runs.  He also scored five runs and drove in eight. Cuesta is 17-11 overall and 13-2 against the WSC.