Softball beat Santa Barbara, 4-3, to take a 1.5 game lead in the chase for the Western State Conference's second automatic playoff berth.  The Cougars are 18-13 overall and 7-3 in WSC play, however Cuesta, so far, has only lost to the loop's leader Ventura.  Today, the visiting Vaqueros pushed the Cougars to the bring.  They struck first, when Pitcher Lauren Indermuehle led off the game with a double and scored two plays later on a groundout.  Cuesta responded immediately, by taking advantage of a leadoff Vaquero error, followed by a walk to open their first at-bat.  Cuesta quickly added a trio of stolen bases to get in scoring position and took the lead on two-RBI, single by First Baseman Bella Garcia (pict).   Cuesta also took advantage of another SBCC error to score in the 3rd inning and later added a crucial insurance run in the 5th.  In the final inning, Cuesta lifted Starting Pitcher Hannah Hollingsworth for Reliever Idalia Lopez, who preserved Hollingsworth's victory and earned Cuesta Softball's first Save since 2020.  

The Cougars, who will complete their season-series against the Vaqueros in Santa Barbara tomorrow (2:30), currently have a 1.5 game lead, with five WSC games left in the season, over 3rd place Allan Hancock for the conference's second automatic playoff spot.  Cuesta shall host the Bulldogs for a doubleheader next Thursday (1/3), April 13.  However, before the showdown with their local rivals, Cuesta is also scheduled to play a WSC Interdivision twinbill against Los Angeles Valley this Friday (12/2 PM) in Van Nuys.  Cuesta shall end the regular season at Moorpark on April 20, while hoping to have secured a ticket to their first post-season since 2015.