Putnam Powers Vaqs Past Cuesta

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Down by a run in the top of the eighth inning, Nick Putnam launched a two-run homer to help lead Santa Barbara to a 9-8 win over Cuesta College on Thursday.

Will Matuszak led off the eighth inning with a double before Putnam drove him home. The Vaquero shortstop also hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fourth of the year.

Matuszak scored four times in the victory, including on Putnam's RBI single in the first.

Nicolas Aguirre added two RBIs with a bases-loaded single in the second, while Cole Ide doubled in Matuszak to give Santa Barbara a 5-1 lead. 

Cuesta responded with a six-run bottom half, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jacob Johnson. Michael Firestone tied the game in the fifth with an RBI double.

Halen Jaden Guerrero picked up his first win of the season with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Vaqueros' reliever didn't allow a hit while striking out two.

Trevor Kester-Johnson earned his first save of the year when he came into the ninth inning with two runners on and escaped the jam. 

With the win, Santa Barbara improved to 22-12 overall and 14-6 in conference play, pulling even with Cuesta atop the WSC North. LA Pierce trails by one game at 13-7.

The Vaqueros return to Pershing Park on Friday to host Oxnard in their regular season home finale.