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The St. Mary’s baseball team finally got on track Wednesday, beating Redwood Christian 11-0 in just five innings. The Panthers (2-5) open league play Friday, visting St. Joseph’s to kick off BSAL play. 

Starting pitcher Tom Carman threw four shutout innings, giving up just two hits and two walks to get the win. Second baseman Chris Alfert supplied much of the offense for St. Mary’s, hitting a long three-run home run in the first inning and driving in two more runs with a triple in the second. 

“He’s been swinging the bat really well, and we’re hoping it’ll continue,” St. Mary’s head coach Andy Shimabukuro said. 

Alfert’s homer was hit to straightaway centerfield, the longest part of the ballpark, giving his team the early 3-0 lead. The Panthers tacked on two more runs in the first, three in the second, one in the third and two more in the fourth. Since they were winning by more than 10 runs after retiring Redwood Christian in the fifth, the game was called after four and a half innings. 

“We needed a win badly,” Shimabukuro said. “Our pitching has been the one good thing so far this year. Our defense has let us down and we haven’t started to hit the ball yet. Hopefully come Friday when league starts, we’ll be ready to go.” 

Right fielder Jeff Marshall came in to pitch the final inning for the Panthers, giving up one hit before retiring the side. 

The Panthers have struggled a bit so far this season, which is understandable considering they’ve played without two key starters. Shortstop Jeremiah Fielder and outfielder Chase Moore are members of the school’s basketball team, which will play for the Division IV state championship this Saturday, after which they will return to the diamond. Shimabukuro said the two will bring a new attitude with them. 

“The most important thing is their leadership, the energy they bring,” he said. “They’re good ballplayers, but the energy they bring can’t be measured.”