The Vikings failed to recover from a fourth inning meltdown in which seven runs scored and two pitching changes were made en route to a 14-3 loss to the Wildcats.

The Wildcats (22-5 overall, 14-2 league) are first in the SCVAL league and possess a deep pitching staff featuring Kyle Blair, one of the top ranked pitchers in the state, who has more no hitters in the season than earned runs allowed.

The Vikings faced him for two straight games on April 20th and April 26th and lost 3-2 and 8-0 respectively. In the first game, Jon Koepfgen managed two hits against Blair as junior pitcher Carey Schwartz limited Los Gatos to just three runs in the close loss. The second game featured six errors by the Vikings. On one play in the top of the third, a Los Gatos batter hit a groundball to third and eventually scored thanks to three Viking errors.

"The talent level on our team is definitely not the same as theirs," Paly head coach Joel Kaufman said. "They’re mature and experienced, and we’re a young team. They have a very deep pitching staff, and their number five pitcher would be doing a lot of pitching for us."

The Vikings kept it close for three innings with RBI hits from senior shortstop Jon Koepfgen and senior outfielder Brendan Wilder.

In the fourth inning, Schwartz gave up two straight doubles and was relieved after walking one batter and retiring another on a bunt. Senior pitcher Jake Martin replaced Schwartz, but didn’t fare much better, giving up four runs, including a two-run homer run to Los Gatos senior centerfielder Marty Mullins.

"They’re one of the top three teams in the section," Kaufman said. "We needed to play perfect, and we didn’t. We stayed with them for a couple of innings, but we need more consistency.

The Vikings need one more win to clinch a Central Coast Section playoff berth.

"It’s really up to them," Kaufman said. "There’s nothing you can really do with just two practices "

Despite the setbacks, the Vikings remain optimistic of their future.

"We’re going to knock off a powerhouse like St. Francis sooner than later," Kaufman said. "Then we’ll realize our potential"

The Vikings next face Milpitas on May 10 at 3:30 p.m.