Lions baseball needs to start playing up to the level its league expects.

Littleton is going to be left behind quick in the Continental League if its defense and pitching do not get better.

The latest example of the team’s undeveloped areas was exemplified April 8 at the school in Littleton after a 24-2, 5-inning routing at the hands of Ponderosa. The Mustangs hit so many home runs in that game, some of those balls are still hovering in the atmosphere over Aurora.

“It’s hard to defend home runs and it’s hard to defend walks,” Littleton coach Micah Bernhardt said. “This is a very young team, and the guys are working hard. We took some quality at bats, but our pitching is just not where it needs to be.”

Bernhardt, who has been with the Lions diamond program for two years now, is in his first season as its head coach this year. The coach said the team’s defensive play is also in need of work, but as far as pitching in the Continental League, Bernhardt said you can’t throw just fast balls.

“This is a league of hitters,” he said. “You have to be able to throw them in and out. You have to be able to change speeds, and you have to have curve balls that curve.”

On the plus side, the Lions have had some quality personnel at the plate. Senior Dane Donegan, who went 2-for-3 against the Mustangs, and Patrick Fry has been pretty consistent in production at the dish.

Littleton has three sophomores starting this season. Two of which, at catcher and shortstop, also swung well against Ponderosa. However, the atmosphere of being non-winners is starting to thicken up for the purple and yellow.

“It’s an atmosphere of not expecting to win,” Bernhardt said. “That culture needs to be changed. We’re in the best league of the state, and we need to play up to it. Things like [the Ponderosa game] will happen when we don’t.”

With the loss to Ponderosa, the Lions went 3-6 overall, including three games in tournament action in Arizona, at which Bernhardt said the Lions held their own.

“Now we’re in league and we have to go up a notch,” the coach said. “The community support for these kids has been great. They need that continued support. They thrive on it.”

Ponderosa was the Lions’ first league game of their schedule. Castle View was up next April 11 in Castle Rock and faced a tough Chaparral team April 13 at home. Results from those games were unavailable at press time.