Morgan Academy Varsity Senators rebound with impressive win

After the Morgan Academy Varsity Senators fell to the Bessemer Academy Rebels 11-1, 9-6 and 12-2 in their first regional series of the season, they rebounded with an impressive 13-3 win over Sparta on Thursday, Feb. 13.

After the losses to Bessemer Academy, Morgan Academy head baseball coach Paul Thomas said, “A lot of credit goes to the play of Bessemer in the series, they have a good ballclub."

He also said the Senator pitching was not quite as sharp as it had been in earlier games, and Bessemer took advantage. However, he said he was pleased with the effort Barron Frazer gave in his first start and hopes he can continue to get that type of performance from him as the season continues. 

But after rebounding against Sparta, Thomas said he was pleased with the pitching by Rhett Thomas, who is not related. "Thomas threw strikes and didn't walk batters, and if our pitchers do this, they give us a chance to win games," head baseball coach Thomas said.

He also said getting contributions from infielder Clifton Smith has been good to see. "Clifton is a young kid that has a lot of potential,” Thomas said. “Due to some ongoing injury situations with some of my players, Clifton has had to step in and help on the mound and at the plate and has been solid at both spots."

Next up for Morgan Academy Varsity Senators is a game against Wilcox Academy Varsity Wildcats on Thursday, March 20.

On Feb. 11, Morgan fell to Bessemer 11-1. Cade Henderson started the game for Morgan on the mound against Bessemer Academy. He gave up two hits and five runs over one and one-third innings, striking out three and walking three. 

Speedie Pernell and Wallis Gilmore each collected one hit for Morgan, and Pernell stole four bases. 

Morgan Academy fell to Bessemer Academy Varsity Rebels 9-6 on Feb. 12.

Frazer homered to help Morgan tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the first.

Jake Sams was hit by a pitch to help Morgan tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third.

Frazer started on the mound for Morgan and allowed nine hits and nine runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out six and walking three. He went one-for-three at the plate. Henderson and Trevor White each collected two hits for Morgan.

Also on Feb. 12, Morgan fell to Bessemer 12-2.

Morgan Academy collected seven hits to six for the Rebels, but it wasn’t enough. Frazer, Wood Jones, Harrison Jones, Thomas, Sams, Martin Wilkinson, and Smith each collected one hit for Morgan.

Gilmore pitched five and one-third innings in relief for Morgan. He surrendered four hits and four runs while striking out six and walking none. White started the game for Morgan and allowed two hits and eight runs over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one and walking six. 

Sams and Gilmore each drove in one run for Morgan Academy Varsity Senators.

On Feb. 13, the Senators staged an impressive bounce back win against Sparta Academy winning 13-3. 

Thomas began the game for Morgan, surrendering four hits and three runs over five innings, striking out one and walking none. 

The Senators collected nine hits in the game. White and Smith each collected two hits for Morgan. Jones, Thomas, and Smith each drove in two runs, and Pernell stole two of five stolen bases for Morgan. And Morgan turned one double play.