It has been a quiet start in the newly renovated Central California Athletic Alliance for the Turlock Christian (2-4) baseball team after suffering another league loss to Big Valley Christian (7-1) at Pedretti Park on Thursday, 10-0 after a mercy-rule victory.

“They just hit the balls in the opening innings. They found leaks and they were successful today,” said TC head coach Erik Martinez. “Right now we are struggling swinging the bats and eventually they will fall. My guys have confidence it’s just maintaining the composure.”

The Lions of Big Valley came out firing at will, scoring three or more runs in the first three innings which catapulted the team to a 10-0 lead by the start of the bottom of the third.

“Lead off hitters got hits and then line drive after line drive, no fly balls just hitting the balls hard. It’s what we teach to find a good hole,” said Big Valley head coach James Parker.

Starter Jon Bradley pitched four innings for the Lions and allowed only two hits and struck out six as he picked up his team’s seventh win of the year.

Drake Dutra was the lone contributor for the TC offense, going 2-for-2, who was plagued by great pitching from Bradley.

“Jon is our only senior on the team and he pitched really well, he threw really good, he attacked the zone with his curveball and had guys guessing early so it was nice,” said Parker. “Our guys play the game hard, and don't take plays off. They are aggressive at the plate and they play good baseball.”

There wasn't much of an open lane for the TC offense as the game was played nearly perfect by Big Valley all around.

Big Valley tallied nine hits and scored 10 runs on an error free game for the team, which gave the Lions their third consecutive win of the season and are in second place in the CCAA as of Thursday.

“Our guys practice hard every single day and have not had one bad practice. They all come out and nobody screws around and it’s fun to have a fun group of guys that want to be out there,” Parker added.

TC has dropped its last four straight and the team is off to a 0-4 start in league.

“We are still further ahead of schedule than last year, but we are just in a small slump right now but I know we can get out of it,” Martinez said. “I'm not worried and I know we can bounce back. We are not in the same position as last year that’s for sure — just some mental mistakes.”

The next game for the TC Eagles will be at home against Stone Ridge Christian at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Big Valley's next game will be at Elliot Christian at 4 p.m. Tuesday.