Because not only is Walker, a 2001 graduate of Loyola-Marymount University, inexperienced but so are his Falcons.

Still, the new coach is optimistic enough to predict a middle-of-the-pack finish for his club in the El Camino Division of the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League as he and his players get a little on-the-job experience.

"We have a young team after the loss of 14 seniors," said Walker. "We will be a very defensive and speed-oriented team."

Leading the cast of the returners for the Falcons is comeback all-leaguer Buck Wright. The senior outfielder is back this spring after winning all­Central Coast Section honorable mention honors a year ago.

Pitchers Brett Behnke, a senior right-hander, and Ryan Newberry, a junior right-hander, head the mound corps for the Falcons. Both return from last year's club.

Catcher Jon Anderson and first baseman Stephen Azzi, both seniors, are other varsity lettermen returning to the diamond this spring for Saratoga.

Walker figures his young Falcons for a fourth-place finish in the El Camino Division this season after the club posted a 3-15 record in the De Anza Division last year. Saratoga last won a division championship in 1999.

The Falcons are even for the year at 3-3 after nailing a 6-4 win over Soquel last week. Newberry and Behnke combined to toss a six-hitter for Saratoga. Newberry picked up the win, evening his record to 1-1, and Behnke nailed his first save of the year.

Newberry helped his own cause with a single and a double, and Anderson ripped a pair of hits. Junior Brett Granum and junior Tyler Rothenberg knocked in two runs apiece.

The Falcons scored a run in the second to take the early lead, but Soquel rallied for four in the top half of the fourth to go up 4-1. Saratoga answered right back with four in the home half of the frame, though, to regain the lead at 5-4, then added an insurance run in the sixth.

The Falcons opened the year with a tight 5-4 win over Monterey. Junior Chris Hornberger was the winning pitcher for Saratoga, and Paul Culbertson came on to get the save.

Sophomore Jeff Lyu had two hits to drive in a couple of runs in the win, and Behnke ripped a double.

Saratoga battled from behind twice to pull out the victory. Monterey scored single runs in the first and fourth, but Saratoga tied it with two in the fifth. Monterey went back on top with two in the sixth, but the Falcons scored three in the bottom of the sixth before Culbertson blanked the Toreadors in the seventh to clinch the win.

Saratoga beat Palma 5-2 in the Coast Classic tournament before losing 10-0 to North Monterey County in the quarterfinals.

Hornberger went the distance to flip a four-hitter for the win over Palma. Wright singled and doubled to plate a pair of runs in the win. Lyu had two hits, and Newberry clubbed a double.

It was another late rally that sparked Saratoga to the win. The Falcons scored a run in the third, but Palma picked up two in the fourth. Saratoga tied with a run in the home half of the fourth, then won it with a three-run rally in the fifth.

The Falcons were to open league play this week with a game Tuesday at Monta Vista, and they'll visit St. Francis on March 13, 3:30 p.m., for a non-league game. Saratoga returns home on March 18 to face Los Altos at 3:30 p.m.