By Staff Writer, Hakop A.

            The road to the championship was stopped short for the playoff-bound baseball team, which was hoping to continue its dominating performance after their sweep of the season series against Glendale High, when they were defeated by Arroyo Grande High from Arroyo Vista.
            The game started off slowly for the baseball team as pitcher Oscar Aguirre (’08) gave up a leadoff triple to Nitro standout shortstop Hong Ahn (’08), who proceeded to score.
            However, the team dominated in a five-run third inning, which began with back-to-back walks to Bobby Romero (’10) and Jason Ochart (’08).   Sako Chapjian (’08) then got hit the ball safely to left field to load the bases for first baseman Tyler Delzell (’10).  Delzell hit a towering 285-foot home run to left field.  The Tornadoes did not show signs of slowing down as Aguirre hit a double, who was then scored on a sacrifice fly ball by Adam Ochart (’09).
            In the bottom half of the inning, however, Ahn could not be stopped as he hit a single, and then advanced all the way home on numerous errors.  Aguirre, however, was able to end the inning with a strikeout and a groundout.
            The Tornadoes continued the scoring in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly by Adam Ochart with the bases loaded to make the game 6-2.  Juan Aguirre (’09) then scored his brother in with a single.
            The only bright spot throughout the entire game for the Nitros was Ahn, who got a single, and stole 2nd, 3rd, and then was driven home by a hit.  Aguirre no longer had Ahn on the diamond or on his mind and was able to end the inning with a strikeout and groundout.
            No runs were scored for the rest of the game, and Oscar Aguirre was magnificent with eight strikeouts.  Chapjian had two hits, with Jason Ochart and Aguirre each notching one hit.
            Thus, with the victory at Glendale, the team continued on to their playoff game against Arroyo Grande High, where they had their hearts broken with the final defeat of the season.