SAN JOSE — The Willow Glen softball team was a Northern California champion two years ago and a NorCal finalist last year.

This season, the Rams, ranked No. 2 in the Bay Area News Group’s Top 20, are off to a better start than in either of those two seasons, 13-0 after a 10-3 win Tuesday over No. 3 ranked Valley Christian.

“We’re playing ball like we should be,” Willow Glen coach Don Spingola said. “We’re taking one game at a time, not getting too far ahead of ourselves.”

How does this team compare with the last two?

“We’re older, a little smarter,” Spingola said. “We have seven seniors and they want to go out on a winning note. Close out their four years with a winning record and go on to another championship.”

Willow Glen’s ascent in the world of NorCal prep softball coincided and was influenced greatly by Alanna Clincy’s arrival on campus. And the right-hander looks better than ever this season. On Tuesday she struck out the side in each of the first two innings and finished with 13 strikeouts, allowing five hits, two walks and one run in six innings.

“I feel more sure of myself and I think that’s what has really helped me improve this year,” Clincy said. “My velocity is up a little bit but I put more emphasis on locating the ball.”

Still only a junior, Clincy has committed to Cal.

“I’m just so grateful to be able to say I committed,” Clincy said. “It’s just an honor. My parents have made a lot of sacrifices and I want to say thank you to them.”

The Rams did plenty of damage with the bats Tuesday. Lea Crawford and Haley Ocumen both hit balls over the high left-field fence for home runs. Clincy and Ocumen lined doubles off the wall. Clincy had three RBIs, Ocumen and Katelynn Dilbeck two apiece. Leadoff batter Catalina Medina stole two bases and scored four runs.

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“Our team doesn’t hit a lot of home runs,” Spingola said. “We manufacture runs, bunt, run the bases, execute. That’s how we’re built. Today we hit the long ball. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes.”

Charlotte Coney had two hits for Valley Christian (15-4). Shyla Paredes hit a two-run double. Makenna Blauman and Hannah Paquiz also hit doubles.