In their second league game of the season, the Paly baseball team lost to Cupertino High School thanks to Cupertion junior pitcher Aaron Headrick’s complete game shutout.

Last Wednesday, Paly junior pitcher Carey Schwartz pitched the Vikings (1-5, 0-2) to their long-awaited first win over Monterey High School for a 8-6 win in the Brother Wally Ryan Tournament. Paly junior Nick Goodspeed had three hits and two RBI’s, and the defense turned three double plays to wrap up the win.

Two days later, the Vikings faced the Wilcox Chargers (5-3, 1-1) in their first league game. Paly senior shortstop Jon Koepfgen hit the first home run for the Vikings this season in the first inning, but a fourth inning, six-run rally by the Chargers put the game out of reach for the Vikings.

Nevertheless, the Vikings went into Monday’s game against Cupertino with confidence with their first win under their belts.

“We beat a strong Monterey team with good pitching and defense,” said Paly head coach Joel Kaufman.

Looking for their first league win, the Vikings sent their ace junior pitcher Alex Schmarzo to the mound. Aware of the previous close losses to St. Francis, 5-6 and Menlo-Atherton, 4-5, the Vikings knew they had to close out the game if they wanted to win.

“We need to hit the ball hard and get on base,” said junior first baseman and designated hitter Will Elmore, “and we need to get more insurance runs just in case.”

The stingy Headrick scattered just five hits over seven innings. He had the run support of Pioneers junior first baseman Chris Haley, junior catcher Chase Hill and senior right fielder Matt McCormick.

The Vikings’ junior center fielder Evan Warner collected two of the Vikings’ hits and stole a base.

Schwartz came in relief of Schmarzo in the top of the fifth, but it was to no avail as three more runs scored.

Paly’s pitching yielded seven walks of which, four came around to score.

“We’re just giving up too many walks,” said Kaufman. “We need to have better outings from our starters.”

The pitching however was not the sole responsibility for the loss. Two passed balls accounted for one stolen base and one run. Another fielding error led to another man on base who later scored.

“We’re just not clicking right now,” said Kaufman. “Baseball’s a streaky sport. We need to have better at-bats and get more guys on base so we can play small ball.”

After the game, the team convened for twenty minutes to discuss the day’s shortcomings.

“They need to have the intensity if they want to win,” said Kaufman. “It has to come from them.”

The Vikings next game is at 3:30 p.m. on Mar. 21st at Los Altos High School.