By Tyler Handlan

The Alhambra Lions defeated the Central Bobcats 12-1 in five innings in a Division III, Section VI regular season game.

“We have struggled for the most part of the year thus far,” Alhambra coach Christopher Hoth said. “In the last half of the game we played pretty well, and our hitting and pitching was solid.”

The Lions were led by senior pitcher Aldo Fernandez, who struck out four and didn’t allow an earned run in five innings.

“Aldo was actually a fill-in for today, because my starting pitcher was having back problems,” Hoth said.

Fernandez didn’t seem phased by the late game-time decision from the Alhambra coaching staff.

“I was just working with my fastball trying to stay inside and outside, trying to command my curveball, and trying to throw my breaking ball down in the dirt late in counts,” Fernandez said. “I only threw my change up once and that was all. I didn’t need it this game.”

Fernandez wasn’t the only shinning star in Alhambra’s victory.

Senior center fielder Javier Hernandez had a huge evening in the batter’s box for the Lions.

Hernandez went 2 for 4 from the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored.

“We just went up there and looked to hit and score some runs for our pitcher,” Hernandez said. “Aldo threw a pretty good game and shut them down.”

The Bobcats struggled to get base runners on and hits during Fernandez’s superior performance.

Strong pitching appears to be the Achilles heel for Central thus far on the season.

“That’s our second loss. Two tough pitchers we have faced,” Central coach Luis Lujan said. “We have a young team as far as the starters, we lack leadership for the most part, but we do have a couple guys that are going to carry us.”

Central’s starting infield consisted of two freshmen and two sophomores, along with another sophomore who started in the outfield.

On the mound for Central was senior pitcher Jonathan Agustin, who gave up six earned runs and eight hits in four innings.  

“Our pitcher couldn’t command the ball very well in the beginning,” Lujan said. “We hung in there with a Division I team from last year. The game was a lot closer than the score will tell.”

Lujan emphasized how his team didn’t do the little things such as field the ball properly and stop Alhambra from turning a single into a double on the base paths.

The Lions totaled 11 hits, one error and five players left on base while its counterpart had just three hits, an error and left six players on base.

Alhambra High will resume its season at home on Friday at 6 p.m. versus the Fairfax Stampede.

Central High will look to get back in the winning column on Thursday at 4 p.m. in a road matchup against the Washington Rams.

“We’re looking forward to having those young guys step up and compete,” Lujan said. “A lot of those guys played well today. I was happy to see it.” 

Tyler Handlan is a sports journalism student at Arizona State University.