Baseball celebrates its 2023 home opener by hosting a three-game series against #19 Orange Coast.  In today's first game in front of their home crowd, the 10th-ranked Cougars needed extra-innings to beat the Pirates, 11-10.  The Cougars struck first to open the game's scoring when 2022 All State Infielder Zachary Tallerman led off the second inning with a solo home run, which was followed by an RBI-single by Kayne Ross.  The Cougars held their two-run advantage until the visiting Pirates scored three times in sixth inning and took a one-run lead. Cuesta tied the game after the 7th-inning stretch, when Ethan Royal's leadoff with a triple and was sacrificed home by Mattias Sessing.  The game remained knotted at 4-4 until the 11th inning.  The Pirates struck first in that frame with a pair of runs manufactured off two singles, a sacrifice, and a wild pitch. However, despite being down 6-4, Cuesta came back.  The Bucs pitching staff even helped Cuesta out with three Free Passes in the inning to load the bases for Royal.  Royal came through with a 2-RBI single to tie the game with Sessing on deck. Sessing's walk-off single plated the winning run to give the Cougars an 11-inning victory in front of their home faithful, 7-6.  Royal led the Cougars' offense with three hits on the day, while scoring once and collecting two RBI.  On the mound, Sophomore Reliever Charlie Williams was the last of four Cuesta pitchers to enter the game and picked up the win after shutting down the Pirates' 11th inning rally to set up the Cougars' comeback.  The win improved Cuesta's record to 3-1 on the season, however they still have two more games against the Pirates.  Cuesta and Orange Coast continue their series on Friday (1 PM) and Saturday (Noon).