Randy Collins is hoping this is a wake-up call.

A blaring alarm and a wailing buzz kind of wake-up call.

The Karns City baseball coach was unhappy after the latest lackluster performance from his Gremlins resulted in an 11-1, six-inning mercy-rule loss to Vincentian Academy at Kelly Automotive Park Monday afternoon.

“Attitude-wise, after their pitcher struck out the side in the first inning, we were defeated,” Collins said. “We cannot get out-worked. We put in a lot of time and effort and, with the talent we have on this team and from what we've accomplished already, it's unacceptable to get out-worked like that.

“We need to take the attitude that we will never get out-worked again,” Collins added.

Matt Yough started for Karns City, but lasted just two innings.

After the junior right-hander gave up a RBI triple off the top of the right-field wall to Vincentian's Ian Taylor in the first inning, he gave up four unearned runs in the second as the Gremlins fell into a quick 5-0 hole.

Meanwhile, Karns City (3-1) couldn't solve Vincentian pitcher Jay Cortese, who struck out 12, walked three and gave up just one hit — a single by Tyler Kepple in the third inning.

The Gremlins scored their only run against Cortese in the bottom of the second when Yough drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a fielder's choice, to third on a wild pitch and scored when Zach Moore was thrown out trying to steal second.

“Our offensive performance was terrible,” Collins said. “They just weren't making any adjustments.”

Cortese's performance even surprised Vincentian coach Paul Quarantillo.

“He's really developed from last year,” Quarantillo said. “He's starting to pitch the way he's capable of. The thing that really impressed me the most about him was he was throwing as hard in the sixth inning as he was in the first. He threw close to 90 pitches today and he still had it in the sixth inning.”

Alessandro Marotto worked the third and fourth innings and Eric Dodd the fifth and sixth innings on the mound for the Gremlins.

Vincentian Academy rapped out 16 hits in the game.

“This was a big pre-section game for us,” Quarantillo said. “We know how good this (Karns City) program is. Believe me, we're happy.”

Collins is anything but pleased.

The Gremlins have won three of four to start the season, but have looked shaky in doing it.

“We need to take what we can take from this,” Collins said, “and not get out-worked again.”

Vincentian Ac. 142 121 x — 11 16 0

Karns City 010 000 x — 1 1 1

W: Jay Cortese 6IP (12K, 3BB). L: Matt Yough 2IP (1K, 0BB).

Vincentian Academy (3-0): Christian Fedko 2-1B, Alex Madonna 1B 2-RBI, Ian Taylor 3B 2B 2-1B 2-RBI, Cortese 2B 1B 2-RBI, Alex Sharpe 1B RBI, Nick Kempa 2B 2-1B RBI, Mark Cuterski 3-1B RBI

Karns City (3-1): Tyler Kepple 1B

Today: West Shamokin at Karns City, 7 p.m.