Cuesta Baseball reached the post-season for the 20th time under Coach Bob Miller, as the fourth team out of the competitive Western State Conference-South.   The Cougars put their win-loss record on the line in almost every game of the season with almost 70% (29 of 42) of their games coming against eventual playoff teams.   Cuesta's title hopes ended in the playoffs, where they faced off against Grossmont and local rival, and tournament host, Allan Hancock. 

Cuesta Baseball finished its 2026 campaign with a 20-22 overall record and was well represented on the all-Western State Conference teams.  Eight Cuesta ballplayers were accorded all-Western State Conference honors, including a pair of first-team selections- Hank Hansen and Makani Nabarro.   

 

Freshman Third Baseman Hank Hansen made an immediate impact for the Cougars at both the "Hot Corner" and the middle of the batting order.  Hansen led the Cougars with 19 extra-base hits and 43 runs batted in, while hitting at a .358 clip.  Two-time all-WSC First Teamer Makani Nabarro returned to the Cougars' line-up, after Redshirting in 2025.  He was immediately re-installed in Centerfield and the top of the Cougars' batting order.  Nabarro clubbed a team-high six home runs on the season, while also adding a team-high dozen stolen bases.  The former all-WSC Gold Glover also enjoyed an errorless season in the pasture.  

Catcher Jack Gradel and Outfielder Jak Sinclair both repeated as members of the loop's second squad.  Gradel is a backstop known for his work with the glove and making the Cuesta Rotation shine but also contributed on offense.  He batted .328 on the season and tied for third on the team with three home runs.  Sinclair is an outfielder with great range and a strong arm, who can also drive the offense.  His 17 extra-base hits trailed only Hansen in the Cougars' batting order.  

 

Three Cuesta players were accorded all-WSC Honorable Mention:  Outfielder Gavin Colombo and Pitchers Brady Rea and Benjamin Straw.   Colombo spent the first half of the season trying to establish himself in a talented outfield but finished the season with a flourish.  Colombo clubbed a pinch-hit two-run home run against current 3C2A Regional Finalist Cypress and was locked in for the rest of the season.  He closed the year going 28-for-63 (.444) and finished with a team-leading .384 batting average.  Sophomore Righthander Brady Rea was the workhorse of the Cougars' rotation.  Rea started a team-leading nine games, while leading the staff with 47 strikeouts and 68.1 innings pitched. Rea finished the season with a 2-3 record.  Freshman Righthander Benjamin Straw became the Cougars' Closer and posted one win, against zero losses, and a team-high five saves, which tied him for 6th place on the Cougars' single season list. 

 

3B- Hank Hansen- First Team

CF- Makani Nabarro- First Team

RF- Jak Sinclair- Second Team

C- Jack Gradel- Second Team

OF- Gavin Colombo- Honorable Mention

SP- Brady Rea- Honorable Mention

RP- Benjamin Straw- Honorable Mention

1B- Sean Rivas- Gold Glove