The Benicia Oldtimers baseball team is off to a slow start this season after losing its first three games.

Benicia was blanked by Lodi, 7-0, in its season opener on March 8 and lost 8-7 to host San Jose the following week. Last Sunday at Napa Valley College, Benicia fell to 0-3 after a 10-8 loss to Vallejo.

Benicia took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning against Vallejo. Lou Kosta drew a walk, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a Brien Rowles double. Vallejo tied the game in the second off two hits and a Benicia error.

Marko Santos led off the third inning with a single to center, Kosta singled to right and Rowles delivered a two-out single to left, clearing the bases for a 3-1 Benicia lead. Vallejo stormed back for six runs in the fourth as a double, two singles, a walk, an error and a bases-loaded triple did the trick.

Vallejo strung together four hits in the fifth, scoring three runs for a 10-3 lead. Benicia came back with four runs in the seventh. Rowles doubled to lead off the inning, Ernest Holquin singled to center and Brandon Fade doubled to left, scoring two. Rich Reza followed with a two-run homer to left, closing the gap to 10-7.

Benicia added a run in the ninth on hits from Reza and Eric Wheat. Benicia had the tying run on third when the game ended.

Trevor Gannon started on the hill for Benicia and went four innings, allowing 10 runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Fade went four scoreless innings, allowing three hits with three strikeouts.

Rowles went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Fade and Reza each had two hits and two RBIs.

Benicia’s home opener is this Sunday against Modesto at Fitzgerald Field. The doubleheader begins at 11 a.m.

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