After 20 straight games on the road, Lancers finally play their home opener

By Pete Borello, Town Crier Staff Writer

photos by Joe Hu/Town Crier Senior Jared Lansford is the top pitcher and one of the best hitters on the St. Francis High baseball team.

What seemed like the never-ending road trip has come to an end for the St. Francis High baseball team.

After playing the first 20 games of the season away due to the renovation of their athletic fields, the Lancers last week finally played at home.

St. Francis enjoyed the latest home opener in school history, beating Valley Christian-San Jose 12-7 April 20. The Lancers belted three home runs in the first inning and led 10-0 after the second.

Playing on campus was a welcome relief for new head coach Chris Volta and his team.

“They might have been tired,” Volta said when asked if the slew of road games had taken a toll on his players. “I know I was tired of it.”

It didn’t show on the field. The Lancers went 15-5 over the stretch, including 3-3 in West Catholic Athletic League games. While splitting six league games may not seem that impressive, it is in the WCAL.

“It’s a very strong league, as always,” Volta said. “You’ve got to play your A game every time out.”

St. Francis certainly has some grade-A players. Four of their 11 seniors will be playing at four-year universities next season, and Volta expects several others to play community college ball. Pitcher/second baseman Jared Lansford, outfielder Matt Long and shortstop Brady Fuerst have secured scholarships to Santa Clara University, while first baseman Matt Cantele has committed to the University of California at San Diego.

Lansford, son of former major leaguer Carney Lansford, is the Lancers’ pitching ace. A top-notch closer last season (eight saves), Jared has made a smooth transition to the role of starter. He has a 4-3 record and has faced “all the top teams we’ve gone against,” said Volta, who spent five years as a St. Francis assistant before taking over for the retired Chris Bradford

Fellow senior Chris Coleman is the team’s No. 2 starter and also catches. He is St. Francis’ lone returning starting pitcher, having run up a 6-0 record a year ago.

“Other than our one-two punch, we’re young on the mound,” Volta said. “(The others) are learning what it takes to pitch in the WCAL.”

This includes juniors Chris Viegas, Kevin Hinsch and Tim Busbin, plus sophomore Daniel Stienstra. Volta uses them as starters and relievers.

Viegas started against Valley Christian and pitched “five solid innings,” according to the coach. Viegas earned the win, improving to 2-1.

The St. Francis pitchers are helped by solid defense behind them and good run support from a bevy of efficient hitters.

The top six batters in the lineup - Long, Lansford, Fuerst, Coleman, catcher Alex Dreyfuss and Cantele - are all hitting over .300. Fuerst slugged a three-run homer against Valley Christian and finished with two hits and four RBIs.

Seventh-place hitter Robert Sedin, a senior third baseman who didn’t play last year, is proving dangerous at the plate as well.

“He’s been pretty good for us,” Volta said. “He’s a great athlete.”

The coach said athleticism is one of the team’s strengths, with several Lancers capable of playing multiple positions in the field.

“We have a good high school defense - it’s consistent,” Volta said. “You have to play defense in our league.”

A league led by Bellarmine and Serra, teams with 6-2 marks. St. Francis is in the middle of the pack, but Volta expects his team to make a run at the leaders.

“I feel we have the talent to be in the upper echelon,” he said.

Although St. Francis is a near-lock to make the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs, Volta doesn’t dare look ahead.

“Right now, we’re concentrating on league,” he said.

The Lancers’ next league game is scheduled for Friday when they host Sacred Heart Cathedral at 3:30 p.m.