Softball has had a tough time finding the sunshine this season and has moved many of its pre-conference games back into its conference schedule.  This week the Cougars travel to Porterville on Tuesday (12/2) to play a doubleheader originally scheduled for February 1 in SLO.  They also have a non-conference twinbill against #8 Fresno on Saturday (12/2).  Sandwiched between Cuesta's non-conference doubleheaders is the Cougars' 2024 Western State Conference Opener against Oxnard on Thursday (2:30).  Cuesta tied for second place in the WSC last season but missed out on the post-season due to a seeding tiebreaker, so they remain chasing their first playoff bid since 2015.  

Last week, the Cougars went 1-3 over a pair of doubleheaders at West Hills-Coalinga and Antelope Valley.  Cuesta split their games in Coalinga, after dropping the opener, 5-3, and bouncing back to take the nightcap, 9-5, behind Pitcher Isabella Garcia's complete game.  In Lancaster, Antelope Valley defended its home diamond with a pair of run-rule victories, 13-5 (6 innings) and 13-4 (5 innings).  Last week's contests represent 30% of the Cougars' games since the season started on January 26.  Cuesta is ready for a big dose of sunshine, because last Saturday's doubleheader against Monterey Peninsula was also rained out and rescheduled for April 13.    The Cougars are 5-8 on the season.