Benjamin Garcia is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sandra Day O'Connor for AZPreps365.com

Sandra Day O’Connor looked locked in and ready to go against Queen Creek Thursday but early-season jitters cost the Eagles a 5-3 loss.

“We just try to do too much,” coach Jeff Baumgartner said. “It’s more of cleaning up the mistakes. If we just make a few more plays here and there, then we will be just fine.”

Although the Eagles have high aspirations for this season, they didn’t seem rattled by the loss.

“No panic at all. As coaches we don’t bury them when they lose, and we don’t praise them when they win. I think we are going to be just fine,” said Baumgartner.

Sophomore Cennedy Murrell gave up a leadoff home run.

Murrell then proceeded to walk three batters and gave up four runs in the first inning.

However, senior pitcher Levi Meyer provided a brighter outlook going four innings and giving up one run.

“When I’m in the zone I pitch like I’m angry, I get a little fired up and carried away sometimes,” Meyer said.

The Eagles tried to get the bats going and adjusted later in the game but it wasn’t enough in the end.

“We were a little out in front on some of these off-speed pitches. We tried to sit back on them later in the game, but it was just a little too late for that,” outfielder Colton Kucera said.

The Eagles kryptonite was hustle plays. When things went downhill, the energy went with it.

“We came out a little flat, but we tried to pick up the energy in the last inning, just came up a little short, but we will take that energy into the next game,” Kucera said.

Added Meyer: “We aren’t going to fear anyone come next week. We are going to play angrier. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.''