Softball dominated visiting West Hills in a non-conference doubleheader, 12-1 and 18-0. The Cougars jumped out early in both games and invoked the "run-rule" at both ends of the of the twinbill; with a lead of eight or more after five innings.
In the opener, the Cougars manufactured a pair of runs in the 1st inning and never trailed again. Centerfielder Emily Juarez and Shortstop Josie Simas both walked to open the game. Juarez stole second during Simas at-bat and they both advanced on a double steal during Natalie Ziegler's at-bat. Juarez scored on an a throwing error and Simas scored on Ziegler's RBI base-hit. Pitcher Kat Cline again set the Falcons down in order in the next inning, while her offense batted around and added seven more runs to take a 9-0 lead. In fact, Cline set down the first ten Falcons she faced, but a one-out walk in the 4th was followed by a pair of singles and a run to break up her perfect game, no-hitter and shutout. After the mini-rally, Cline was back in control the rest of the way and closed out the game by retiring the next five batters in a row, while the Cougars added three more runs to pad their advantage, 12-1.
In the nightcap, Pitcher Rylee Murry authored her first complete shutout of the year in a two-hit gem. The Cougars batted around twice in a 15-run, 2nd inning, however after the Cougars bats were done, Murry return from her extended break and her bid for a perfect game was upended by Liyah Coleman's first hit of the year- a double to the right-center gap. Murry allowed another single in the final frame, however her the Falcons never threated her shutout. On offense, the top of Cuesta's order continued to pound away at West Hills pitching. Juarez, Simas and Ziegler combined to do more damage and ignited the rout. Juarez and Simas both scored twice and drove in a run, while Ziegler scored once and drove in three runners to lead the Cougars' offense.
Doubleheader Totals
Emily Juarez- 3-5, 2B, 4 runs, 2 RBI, 3 SB
Josie Simas- 2-3 2B, 4 runs, 4 RBI, 2 SB
Natalie Ziegler- 3-4, 2 3B, 1 run, 4 RBI
The Cougars are 10-6 on the season and host Hartnell next Friday (1 PM).
West Hills 0-6
Cuesta 10-6
