Cuesta Baseball completed its series with Ventura with their second home win of the week.  The Cougars opened the week with a 10-9 win over the Pirates on Tuesday, but after a rain delay on Thursday, they lost in Ventura by the same score, 10-9.  In today's tiebreaker the Cougars left no doubt in the outcome after posting 11 runs in the first five innings.  Cuesta Starter Justin Cortez blanked the Bucs over the first four innings, but, before handing his victory to the bullpen, allowed six runs during his 5th and 6th trips to the hill.  Relievers Jackson Howell and Marc Byrum closed out the game and allowed just four hits and one run in their combined three innings of work.  On offense, the Cougars got almost have of their hits from the last two spots in the order.  Catcher Jack Gradel, batting 8^th in the order, posted his second three-hit game of the season, while also both scoring and driving in a pair of runs.  In the final spot, Second Baseman Justin Lemaster went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored and another driven in.   The victory moved the Cougars to 11-9 on the season and 6-3 in Western State Conference play. 

Cuesta Baseball continues its first swing through the WSC next week with three games versus local rival Allan Hancock.  The Bulldogs are set to play in San Luis Obispo on Tuesday (2 PM) and Saturday (1 PM), while the Cougars make a mid-week trip to Santa Maria on Thursday (2:30).