Cuesta Softball fell to rival Ventura, 7-3, in their 2022 Western State Conference opener. The visiting Pirates jumped out early with two runs in their first at-bat and never lost the lead, although Cuesta catalyst Emily Valdez kept the game close. Valdez collected two of the Cougars' four hits on the day, while stealing three bases and scoring twice. She cut the Pirates' lead in half in the bottom of the first inning, after her single and stolen base placed her scoring position. She also got the Cougars back in the game during the 4th inning, when she reached on a single and then led two runs across when the Bucs threw the ball into leftfield as she stole third base. Unfortunately, that was the end of the Cougars' offense, while Ventura added two insurance runs on their way to the win, 7-3. The setback dropped the Cougars to 8-12 on the season and 0-1 in the Western State Conference Standings.
Cuesta Softball will step back from its WSC schedule to host College of the Canyons for a doubleheader this Saturday (1/3 PM).
