The Nipomo Titans took the consolation championship with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss in the Atascadero Easter Tournament. Falling to Santa Ynez 9-5 on the opening day, the Titans roared back, notching wins over Pajaro Valley and Western Christian on Tuesday and beating western Christian again on Wednesday to take the consolation bracket.

In the Tuesday double header, Nipomo hitters pounded Western Christian of Covina, 12-2 in the opener then came back in the nightcap to crush Pajaro Valley 16-3.

Against Western Christian, the first Nipomo run was a homer by 1^st basemen Joe Delfin in the 2^nd. Andrew Merino hit his first big fly of the year, a grand slam home run in the bottom of the 3rd to put Western Christian hopelessly behind 5-0. WC never recovered and went down 12-2. Recording the win was pitcher Mason Sperakos, who gave up 5 hits and struck out 2 in four innings of work. Daniel Corbin came on in relief and got the save.

In the afternoon game against Pajaro Valley, a 10 hit attack, paced by jacks from Manuel Reyes (1^st) and Joe Delfin (3^rd) doomed the PV nine 16-3. Junior pitcher big Will Fredrick pitched all 5 innings, gave up 4 hits, walked 5 and struck out 2, recording his first win in his first start of the year.

Playing for the consolation title, Nipomo slugged its way past Western Christian, 11-2. Lefthander Andy Bachtel pitched a complete game; giving up two runs on 4 hits, 3 walks and striking out 7 to pad his league strikeout lead (29). Andrew Merino hit a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 7^th for his second of the tournament. Leadoff hitter Matt Limon, Daniel Corbin, Mason Sperakos, Joe Delfin, Eddie Chavarria, Sean Persky and Dean Marciano also contributed with one or more singles. Catcher Manny Reyes notched a 2 RBI double in the first and Joe Delfin another in the 2^nd.

In four games the Titans recorded 34 hits including 6 home runs, 1 triple, 3 doubles and 24 singles, out scoring their opponents 44 to 16. Titan runners stole 6 bases and the pitchers struck out 15 while walking only 12. There were home runs from Daniel Herrera, Manuel Reyes, Joe Delfin and Andrew Merino.

Nipomo has a bye week this week and will return to league play against Pioneer Valley next Tuesday at Pioneer Valley HS. Titans will play at home Wednesday April 9^th.