The Pierce College baseball team lost 4-3 against Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, Tuesday.
Cuesta College improves its conference record to 2-2 and its overall record to 8-9, while the loss puts the Brahmas at 0-4 in conference play, 5-13 overall and continues their six-game losing streak.
Pierce had three runs off eight hits with three walks, left seven runners on base, struck out six times, and committed three errors. While Cuesta put together four runs off seven hits with four walks, left seven runners on base, had two strike outs, and made three errors as well.
Across the board, the game was close; both teams had almost identical statistics, but it was a final run in the ninth inning that pushed Cuesta College ahead for the win.
The Cougars received an outstanding performance from their starting pitcher Andrew Nelson, who went the distance throwing all nine innings, grabbing the win and posting three runs off eight hits along with six strikeouts.
Pierce held a 3-2 lead for most of the game behind the pitching of freshman Bobby Schauer up into the eighth inning, where Cuesta was able to tie the game up before heading into the ninth.
For the Cougars this was their final stance before having to compete in extra innings and were able to come out on top.
Third baseman Andrew Montanari the number nine hitter in the line-up started off the bottom of the ninth sequence with a lead off double against relief pitcher Elliot Keene.
Second baseman Marco Murillo followed up by putting the ball in play and was able to not only advance Montanari to third but made it safe to first on a fielder’s choice putting the pressure on Pierce with a first and third situation.
Just as things were looking good for Cuesta College, a wild pitch got away from Keene passing catcher Jeremy Vasquez and giving Montanari a golden opportunity to steal home, ending the game in a victory for the Cougars.
The Pierce baseball team will continue their road trip to Ventura College and face the Pirates on Thursday at 2 p.m.
