Don’t let the 1-5 record fool you. It’s certainly not putting any doubts into John Graziano. No, the first-year head coach of Pembroke Academy’s baseball team isn’t worried about what the win-loss column shows. Indeed, he’s more concerned with what he sees on the diamond.

“Our record doesn’t reflect how we’re playing,” said Graziano.

“We’ve been in every game, but we seem to have one inning where we break down and dig ourselves into a hole. In sports, you make your own breaks, and for a young team that takes time.”

The Spartans put up a solid effort, earning their first win of the year on May 2, against Class I club Fall Mountain. The 9-6 win featured the team’s first home run, strong pitching performances from two PA hurlers and smart plays on defense.

After taking an early lead, the Spartans found themselves behind in the late innings before Jake Demcheck sparked the offense, hitting the team’s first home run in 2007.

Graziano’s young squad showed signs of maturity behind leaders Ben Mitchell, the team captain and starting catcher, and center fielder Dru Goff. Senior Derick Hancock entered the game as the only Spartan pitcher to throw a complete game.

“Ben calls such a great game,” said Graziano. “Dru is outstanding in center field. He’ll jump over the fence to run down a ball. He’s our leadoff hitter, with just a beautiful swing. Derick comes in and throws strikes. He sets the tone for our younger arms.”

Graziano plays all 14 players in each game, generally using two to three pitchers per match-up.

Building game-experience leads to the confidence Graziano said his new players need. The mentor added developing his players for the future trumps wins this season.

Once-a-week classroom sessions, sliding drills done after a rainy day and practices at Legends Golf and Family Recreation have also been a part of Graziano’s technique.

“Little things like that are huge for a young team,” he said. “After our first win, I took them to Legends where each guy was in the cage, and we had a mock-practice on their fields. We’re building a house for the future, and these things keep them together.”

The Spartans host John Stark on Friday, May 11.