SELMA — Morgan Academy pitchers walked nine batters and made three wild pitches while the defense behind them made two errors in a costly five-run inning.

The Senators struggled in nearly every facet of the game Thursday and lost to Autauga Academy, 7-0, in a four-inning game shortened by a time limit in the Pepsi Classic.

Morgan coach Robert Massey has spoken of his team’s youth before, but he said the result was not a product of inexperience.

“It’s pure lack of effort and hustle,” Massey said. “They know what to do when they go out there, and I was very disappointed in the mental effort of the team.”

Morgan surrendered a run in each of the first two innings without allowing the Generals to get a hit. But seven walks by starter John Pomeroy — including one with the bases loaded — made the difference.

Pomeroy got the first two batters he faced out in order before walking the next three. A wild pitch scored a run, and a runner was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

The second inning was remarkably similar. The first two batters each got out and Pomeroy struck out the third, but he reached base on a passed ball. The next three batters walked, and Pomeroy was replaced by Crawford Traylor.

“We’ve been down every game we’ve played this year,” Massey said. “We get the first two guys out and the pitch goes to the backstop, and that opened the floodgates. You can’t give people extra outs, and that’s what we did all day.”

Morgan only had one runner reach third base. Joel Yarbrough advanced to third on a single by Taylor Lang with two out in the second inning, but the next batter flew out to the pitcher.

Traylor pitched a scoreless third but was lifted in the fourth after allowing three singles and giving up two walks, which led to the five-run outburst.

“There is no excuse for the way we played,” Massey said. “We need to figure out if we want to be a team or if we want to be 16 individuals.”

Morgan will get another shot at Autauga on Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

SEE STORY OF MORGAN’S SECOND GAME HERE