A mixed start to league play has been a reality check for the previously undefeated Wildcat baseball team. The Cats opened league play by sweeping a two-game set against the Hamilton Yankees in thrilling fashion. After a 3-2 win in extra innings on March 24, the Cats handled the Yankees behind a spectacular effort from pitcher Jose Medina on March 27. The hard-throwing junior shut the Yankees down from the mound, allowing only one unearned run in his complete-game effort. Medina also hit a home run and knocked in all four runs in the 4-1 victory.

The first set of games against the Venice Gondoliers did not go as smoothly, however. The Gondos jumped on the Cats early on March 31 and were in control 9-0 heading into the last inning. Pitcher Michael Chun, who had struggled from the mound, earned two RBIs as a part of a five-run inning that gave the Gondos a scare before they were able to end the 5-9 game. The Cats bounced back quickly, returning the favor three days later by pouncing with a three-run first inning. Medina again dominated on the mound, allowing one run in another complete-game victory.

The Cats again looked human, however, after a one-sided loss to the Palisade’s Dolphins on April 7. Chun again struggled to find the strike zone, allowing seven runs in five innings, but the Cats’ five fielding errors were what ultimately cost them the game.

The trio of Medina, Chun, and Justin Moore has been dominant all season and has produced city-leading statistics. Moore and Chun are among the Western League’s best in many offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.

“There’s still a lot of season left,” said Medina, who is fourth in the city with a 0.61 ERA. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves.”

The Cats sought revenge against the Dolphins yesterday, after the Wildcat printing deadline.