SLO baseball wins 2-1 over Atascadero as Sunset League heats up
San Luis Obispo High’s baseball team had lost its last five games.
But on Thursday, the Tigers (5-7, 3-2 Sunset) found a way to the “W” column — displaying superb defense to hold on to a 2-1 home victory versus Atascadero (7-6, 3-2 Sunset).
SLO starting pitcher, senior Keegan Toole, tossed five innings, giving up one earned run and three hits, while striking out four.
Senior Finn Hickey added two scoreless innings in relief to record the save.
Third baseman Parker Wyatt went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, including a line drive double that took a bad hop over the center fielder’s head to allow the go-ahead run to score.
Additionally, the Tigers made several big plays on defense to keep the Greyhounds offense at bay, including a relay on a single to right field to throw out an Atascacero runner at home, and a laser from catcher Gabe Vigil to throw out a base-stealer at second, along with a diving grab by shortstop Hayden Hall on a screaming line drive hit by first baseman Reid Gearhart.
“We had master class defense today, just making plays in big spots,” Wyatt said. “It just kind of came together for us today.”
SLO coach assesses season
SLO Coach Dean Treanor said his squad’s level of defense was notable.
“When we take care of the ball, we’re a much better team,” Treanor said. “We struggle sometimes with our defense. But today, we made all the plays. It was just one of those all-around games. We scored enough to get this done.”
Landon Drenckpohl and James Goodwin also had hits for the Tigers.
Treanor said the team’s reaction after the win was indicative of the Tigers’ excitement after snapping their five-game skid.
“Our reaction was a little better than it’s been,” Treanor said. “I still like us getting in this thing. I think we have a chance to go to the playoffs, and we have a chance to go as far as these guys want to.”
Atascadero prepared for league battles
Atascadero was led by senior Evan Churchill, who was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored. And pitcher Weston Witt, who a 2.55 ERA on the season, threw six innings, giving up two runs and striking out five.
“Weston has been great for us,” said Atascadero Coach Samm Spears. “He’s a strike thrower, pitches backwards, and buys into everything we’re doing, pitching-wise, hitting-wise, everything.”
Spears said the Greyhounds played a tough non-league schedule, battling and staying competitive in close games like Thursday’s.
“I think it’s the most competitive out of the three leagues (including SLO County teams),” Spears said of the Sunset League. “Right from top to bottom, I don’t think there is a clear cut number one team, and there’s not a clear bottom team. It is a battle every single game.”
Templeton (8-7, 3-1) currently sits atop the Sunset League. Andrew Raab is leading the team in hitting, with a .419 average.
Atascadero next plays SLO on Saturday in San Luis Obispo at 1 p.m.
This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM.
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