Broughton authors a no-hitter against visiting Moorpark, 8-0

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cuesta Pitcher Ben Broughton kept visiting Moorpark hitless on Tuesday as he authored his second complete-game shutout of the season in an 8-0 win. 

Broughton struck out the first batter he faced as set down the first 15 Raiders he faced.  The only blemish on his gem was a four-pitch walk to open the sixth inning, but despite spoiling his bid for a perfect game, the runner was immediately erased on a double-play.  Broughton, along with his batterymate Dalton Cram, went nine innings and faced the minimum 27 batters on the day.  The win improved Broughton's record to 4-1 on the season and dropped his season ERA to 2.63.  He is now just one whitewash away from tying Brendan Jenkins' (2015) school record of three shutouts in a season. 

On offense, the Cougars gave Broughton plenty of room to work after scoring in each of their first three turns at the plate.  The middle of Cuesta's lineup did the bulk of the damage on offense.  Designated hitter Kirk Woolf and third baseman Zach Tallerman each enjoyed big days at the plate.  Woolf went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run, while scoring once and driving in a pair of runs.  Tallerman was 2-for-2, also including a home run, but also added a single, a walk and a sacrifice fly.  The victory moved the Cougars over .500 for the first time this season.  Cuesta is currently 12-11 overall and atop the Western State Conference with an 8-2 record against the circuit.  

The Cougars continue their series with the Raiders with two more games this week.  They shall meet in Moorpark on Thursday (2:30) and return to SLO for a game on Saturday (1 PM).

(Pete Schuler, Cuesta College Athletics)