Lincoln starts fast

Despite a 13-2 loss to Mitty on Friday, Lincoln-San Jose is 1-1 after its West Catholic Athletic League double header to start the year.

The 3-2 win over Valley Christian-San Jose was bigger than just beating a team from a premier league since the Warriors were the preseason No. 1 team.

“It’s a young team,” head coach Stuart Piraro said on Thursday. “What I liked was the courage and poise they showed on the road against a WCAL team. They competed for 21 outs.”

Getting a gauge on a team that has just four seniors on its 15 man roster was the objective with a tough opening week.

“The competition is really good. It’s a good standard to go off of. You can rate yourself more honestly.”

In the opening game, Lincoln leaned on its seniors for all three of its run scored including four year varsity player Robert Najar. Ernesto Fernandez, the Lions’ top pitcher, went three innings for a no decision and also scored a run in a two run second inning. Sophomore Gabe Murphy had a RBI single. Sophomore Enzo Filangeri delivered four shutout innings of relief to get the win.

Lincoln won the Blossom Valley Athletic League - Santa Teresa Division in 2015 before moving to the Mount Hamilton Athletic League in 2016.