For the first time since taking over in 2013, head coach John Acha and his Pitman varsity baseball are off to a 1-4 start after falling to Sierra, 3-0, in Friday’s second day of the Pedretti Tournament.

“We are usually at least at .500 by this point and not on the other end... We have played some good teams so far as well, we expected those which is fine, that is what preseason is to learn from it and hopefully we’ll be ready to go by league.”

The team’s 1-4 start after their first five games also marks the worse start for any prior Pitman varsity baseball team, surpassing the 1-3 start in 2005.

Pitman has also struggled to put up runs so far.

After five games, the team has scored just five runs while allowing 16.

“We have struggled with both hits and runs, we had guys in scoring position but we have to put the barrel on the bat,” said Acha.

Pitman has only scored one run in the last three games, while getting outscored 13-1.

It also doesn’t help that Pitman lost two of their pitchers in Brett Hagen and Bradley Enos.

“Yeah, we lost depth at pitching with not having some guys out there,” said Acha. “Another big blow was Dylan Roberts, who hurt his elbow. He would have been a third-year starter, unfortunately, he had a bad break; that is a big bat for us.”

With Roberts out, Nick Jones has stepped in to fill the role while Acha has also called up some underclassmen to help fill some voids.

Those underclassmen include freshman Cole Carrigg and sophomore Mac Cabero.

“Also, Jack Wheeland, real excited for him to have a great year,” said Acha. “Great potential for future in baseball and AJ Encalade, semi slow start here but he will pick it up I am sure. Those are two key players and Tyler Stout as well.”

Stout started in Friday’s loss to Sierra and allowed two runs after four innings.

For the game, Pitman tallied just a pair of hits against Sierra.

“Pitching has been good, but we’re struggling to score runs and get on base and be a threat,” said Acha. “It’s a little learning curve and adjustment to get them to settle down. I think guys are pressing and overthinking and they just have to go out and play.”

Pitman will close out the Pedretti Tournament against Modesto at 11 a.m. today.