Cuesta Baseball closed strong with eight runs in their last two turns at the plate to claim their 2025 CCCAA Playoff opener against visiting #13-seed Southwestern.  The 12th-seeded Cougars scored twice during their first turn at bat, thanks to a sequence of a walk, a double, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, however the visiting Jaguars rallied for three of the next four innings and carried the advantage into the stretch, 3-2.  After the 7th-inning stretch the Jaguars turned to their bullpen to close out the game and the Cougars' bats caught fire.  In the bottom of the 7th-inning, Cuesta scored six runs on six hits to regain the lead, 8-3.  The next inning Cuesta moved into double-digits with a leadoff home run by Centerfielder Aidan Botti, along with a pair of singles and a passed ball that plated Shortstop Victor Heredia for a 10th run.  Botti and Heredia were just two of the five Cuesta batsmen to enjoy a multi-hit game, while Heredia also scored a game-high three runs.  On the mound, Cuesta Starter Jack Stannard went five innings before handing a 3-2 deficit to Reliever Chase Viale (pict).  Viale, with some support from the offense, dominated the last four innings of the game.  He hurled four shutout innings to earn the victory, while allowing just two hits and striking out seven Jaguars.  The win improved the Cougars' season record to 26-15.  

The Cougars and Jaguars shall continue their best-or-three playoff series tomorrow with Game 2 scheduled for 11 AM and, if needed, Game 3 to follow 30 minutes later.  Southwestern shall be the designated home team for Game 2.