Teasdale, Moorpark Triumph in 10

During most of its game Tuesday, Cuesta College seemed to be on the brink of a blowout against Moorpark, loading the bases in the first, fourth and seventh innings.

But Cuesta failed to capitalize on its opportunities, which abruptly disappeared once Moorpark reliever Robert Teasdale entered the game--and took command as the Raiders prevailed, 3-2, in 10 innings at Moorpark.

Teasdale (5-1) pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as Moorpark dropped Cuesta into second place in the Western State Conference. Moorpark remains tied for first with Canyons, which defeated Santa Barbara, 11-7.

“I’m so happy,” said Teasdale, who retired the side in the seventh after coming in with the score tied, 2-2, and two runners on.

“I came in in a difficult situation, but I got through it. I was just concentrating on each pitch out there.”

Teasdale surrendered a bloop single to Nick Kaiser, the first batter he faced, to load the bases. Then he retired the next two batters on popups.

The freshman from Newbury Park cruised most of the rest of the way, putting Cuesta down in order in the eighth and 10th innings.

With the score tied, 2-2, in the bottom of the 10th, Jason Jones punched a line drive to center to score Mike Suarez, who had singled and advanced to second on a groundout. Suarez’s hit followed what had loomed as a game-saving catch by Cuesta’s Rob Carr, who dived to grab Henry Schelb’s drive into left-center.

Jones had squeezed home Suarez in the sixth with the tying run.

Moorpark (14-7 overall) improved to 9-2 in conference play. Cuesta, which stranded 13 baserunners, fell to 13-9-2, 8-3.

“Pitching won the game for us,” Moorpark Coach Ken Wagner said. “(Teasdale) has been our stopper. He did the job and we came up with the big plays.”

Cuesta led, 2-0, before Darin Furlong (three hits) cut the deficit to one on a solo shot in the third inning.