SANTA CRUZ >> Over the years, San Lorenzo Valley High’s baseball team has been an improved product in the second half of the season. It’s almost clockwork.

And there’s good reason for that. The Cougars not only need more time to practice and develop, they also benefit from playing in front of fans on their field. Another El Niño winter has wreaked havoc for the Cougars, who have held just two practices on their field and have yet to play a home game, due to poor field drainage.

The Cougars hit the road again Thursday and were beaten down by host Harbor 16-2 in Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League play.

SLV coach Shane Sutcliffe is hopeful that this year’s Cougars (3-7-1, 0-3) will continue to improve as the season plays out. They have 12 games remaining on their 15-game league schedule, and every team has at least one loss after Aptos and Santa Cruz were knocked from the unbeaten ranks Thursday.

“I’ve had years past where I lost the first half of league and won the whole second half,” Sutcliffe said. “I’m not saying I’m gonna do it, but I think this team is a good club. We have a good defensive structure. We’re just trying to find the right guys to fit. It’s kinda exciting.”

The game was initially slated to take place in Felton on Friday, but it was moved up a day and the Pirates hosted because more rain is expected this weekend. SLV’s field dried out enough to allow San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District’s maintenance crew to mow its rutty field earlier this week, but the incoming storm could set the Cougars back, yet again.

“If it rained right now, even though we mowed it, it’s still not safe. So we gotta get it safe,” the coach said. “It’s mowed and flat, but as soon as it rains, it’s another week or two weeks out. One inch (of rain) for us is gonna kill us for another week and half, maybe.”

Harbor, which has a synthetic turf field, has benefitted from the wet weather. Pirates coach Joseph Allegri said his team picks up two to three extra home games each season, thanks to opponents with unplayable fields.

“It is cool,” Allegri said. “It’s a lot of home games. We play very well at home. I think they’re used to the fans, the home-field advantage, knowing that they’re always playing here because everyone wants to play here, and it’s just a routine they’ve kinda established.”

Sutcliffe is grateful for Soquel and Aptos allowing the Cougars to use their fields for some home games. Harbor swapped home games with the Cougars, so they’ll play in Felton twice later this season.

Everything went right Thursday for the Pirates, who picked up their first win after dropping games to Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. And everything went wrong for the Cougars, who gave up 13 hits, 10 walks, beaned three battered, and committed one error.

“We’ve actually been playing good ball,” Sutcliffe said. “We’ve been giving up a lot of walks, and that is what’s really hurting us. We’ve actually gotten good work in where we can. We’ve used the multi-purpose room for ground balls, and we’ve used a corner of the football field, between flag football going on. So, we’ve gotten out work in. I’ve built an indoor facility, so we’re able to do live pitcher versus hitter, so that’s been kinda nice. But, for some reason right now, when we get on the mound we’re throwing balls. And we’re throwing a lot of them.”

Harbor (6-4-1, 1-2), coming off an 18-2 loss to the Falcons, turned the tables and jumped out to a huge lead early on SLV. The Pirates led 16-0 after three innings, and turned to the majority of their reserves to play the final four innings.

“After last game’s loss, we had to come back,” said Pirates outfielder Pierce Fanara. “I think we really delivered. I think, everybody, the approaches were a lot better today. I think everybody really delivered and played their part.”

Leadoff hitter Jake Fiorenza had two hit, drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and scored three runs. Cole McCombs had two hits, was hit by two pitches, walked, stole two bases, and scored twice. And reserve Jacob Dangzalan hit a three-run triple and drew a walk.

The Pirates know they’re right back in the title mix with their win.

“I love this team, I wouldn’t trade it for anyone else,” Dangzalan said. “If we play right, play like we did today, we got a high chance.”

McCombs pitched three scoreless innings and earned the win. He gave up one hit, didn’t allow a walk, and struck out five batters.

SLV did all its scoring in the fourth inning. Cody Houston reached base on a walk and scored on Phillip Nattras’ ground out. John Clinkenbeard singled and scored on a wild pitch.

Clinkenbeard, a senior, is well versed with the Cougars’ early season field issues, but he and his teammates are doing their best to improve, regardless of the environment.

“It’s difficult,” he said. “I think we’ve had two practices on our field. And it’s just difficult to play the game when you haven’t practiced on a real field. It’s good right now, but with the rain and everything, after the rain, it’s mushy in the outfield and the dirt gets really wet. It’s just difficult.”

The Cougars are excited to play their first game in Felton, but have no idea when that may be. Sutcliffe said he was told last year that the district planned to install new drainage along the warning track this season. The waiting game continues.

Sutcliffe said he doesn’t plan to schedule any more early season games at home, knowing field’s illustrious drainage issues. But that won’t remedy the problem. In the meantime, they’ll keep praying for warmer, drier weather.