Marengo Academy handed Morgan its first loss of the baseball season with a 6-1 win on Monday.

After both teams failed to capitalize on a number of opportunities, the Longhorns’ bats got hot, while the Senator offense continued to sputter.

“We had several chances,” said Morgan coach Lothian Smallwood. “We didn’t really come through with the hits at the opportune times. I didn’t think we were ready to play today.”

Chris Whitaker broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to give Marengo its first lead Rabe Hale scored on a Whitaker sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning.

“That took them out of it a little bit,” said Smallwood. “We kind of got down on ourselves a little bit.”

Two batters later, Kyle Schroeder walked, stole second and advanced to third on an errant checking throw from Morgan reliever Austin Anderson to a vacant second base bag. He scored on a passed ball to make it 4-1.

Morgan (4-1) an opportunity to answer by loading the bases with one out. But a Reid Fondren strikeout and Taylor Copeland pop out ended the threat.

It was the third time the Senators left the bases loaded. They had a chance to take a sizable lead with a similar bases loaded situation in the first. After a Thomas Austin double scored Forrest Hughes to tie the game, Johnny Watts walked to load the bases with one out.

Marengo pitcher Dustin McIntyre fanned Jay Gilmer and Reid Fondren to get out of the jam.

The third inning saw Morgan miss on another scoring opportunity after loading the bases with no outs. Watts popped out, Gilmer struck out and Conner Thorpe was forced out at third base to end the threat.

“Our pitchers struggled early,” said Marengo coach Jonathan Lindsey. “But they dig down deep and fight and get out of an inning. We played well enough to win.”