Cuesta Baseball stayed close to home for the 2026 3C2A Regional Playoffs with a double-elimination series in Santa Maria against the Grossmont and host Allan Hancock.  The Cougars, who missed the post-season twice over the past 30 years, snuck into the post-season with a .500 record (20-20), after closing the season by winning only one of their last five regular season games.  The Cougars hoped to rebound in the post-season and took an early lead against the Griffins in the series opener.  Cuesta jumped out to a three-run lead in the first inning and entered the stretch with a 7-4 advantage.  Unfortunately, Grossmont took advantage of a trio of walks and a Double in the bottom of the 7th inning to cut the Cougars lead to a single run.  Both teams went scoreless in the 8th and, with two quick outs in the bottom of the 9th, the contest appeared to be headed for extra-innings, until an infield error gave the Griffins a chance.  After another single and an intentional walk to load the bases, Grossmont Catcher Owen Rodgers, pushed a single to rightfield to plate the tying and winning runs, 8-7, to send the Cougars into the elimination round against local rival Allan Hancock.  The Cougars beat the rival Bulldogs in their first meeting of the season, but Hancock claimed their next three meetings by a combined score of 30-to-8.  Each team posted a single run in the first five innings, but the Bulldogs exploded four runs in the 6th inning and held on to eliminate the Cougars, 7-3.   The Cougars finished the season with 20-22 overall record.    

 

Note- The 2026 All-Western State Conference selections shall be announced at the conclusion of the playoffs.