Cuesta Baseball had to settle for a split in its two-game set against #2 Saddleback.  The Cougars won the opener in 11 innings on Thursday, after overcoming an 8-run inning by the Bobcats, but were unable to overcome another late burst today.  Both of the day's Starting Pitchers, Cuesta's Woody Brennan and Saddleback's Dylan Singh, matched each other with five-innings of shutout baseball.  They were both lifted before the sixth inning, but Cuesta's next four pitchers allowed 10 runs over the two-plus innings, while the Bobcats' bullpen held strong, except of two runs in the 8th, on the way to a 10-2 win to even the series. Cuesta Second Baseman Diego Murillo had a team-leading two hits in the game and helped the Cougars avoid the shutout when he and Shortstop Ryan Fenn both scored on Holden Cumiskey's single in the 8th inning.  Murillo is batting a team-high .405 on the season, while his .549 on-base percentage ranks 31st in the State.  Cuesta's starting rotation has also been a strong point for the Cougars but has combined to earn only two decisions over the past dozen games, despite handing the game to the bullpen with a lead in eight games and tied in three.  Cuesta is 4-9 on the season.

Cuesta begins Western State Conference play with a three-game series against Ventura next week.  The Cougars travel to Ventura on Tuesday (2 PM) and Saturday (Noon), while also hosting the Pirates on Thursday (2 PM).