Morgan Academy baseball ends playoff run with loss to Pike Patriots Wednesday

The Morgan Academy Senators saw their 2021 varsity baseball season come to an end at the hands of the Pike Liberal Arts Patriots 6-3 and 6-0 in a doubleheader played at Morgan Academy on Wednesday, May 5 in the third round of the AISA Class AAA State Championship Baseball Playoffs.

Senators varsity finished the 2021 season 20-10 overall and as winners of the AISA Class AAA Region 2 Area title. And, after earning a bye in round one, the Senators defeated Lee-Scott Academy in round two.

Morgan Academy head varsity baseball coach Stephen Clements said following round three action, “I don’t think I have ever been more proud of a group of guys. This team bought in to everything that the coaching staff was trying to do and worked hard every day. They were the true testament to a team by standing by each other for the great plays and the mistakes.”

Clements said of his Senators, “They overcame a lot of adversity and got better every day. I think our pitching staff was lights out lead by Andrew Thomas and Osagie Aghedo. And only having two seniors meant we had to rely on several underclassmen to play huge roles in the leadership area.” He said he was super proud of all his team and his coaching staff. “So thankful that Jesus allowed me to be a part of them,” Clements said. 

While falling 6-3 in game one, the Senators stayed in it until the end. The game was tied at 3-all with Pike Liberal Arts batting in the top of the sixth inning when a Patriot singled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

Andrew Thomas took the loss for Morgan Academy on the mound lasting seven innings, allowing eight hits and six runs while striking out four.

Pike Liberal Arts’ winning pitcher went three innings, allowing zero hits and one run while striking out three. Their starting pitcher allowed three hits and two runs over four innings, striking out five and walking one.

C.J. Crocker, Chris Gardner and Thomas each managed one hit to lead the Morgan Academy Senators.  And T.B. Clements had the only stolen base of the night for Morgan Academy. 

The Patriots tallied eight hits on the day.  

Nothing came easy for Morgan Academy as the Senators fell 6-0 in game two. 

One bright spot for Morgan Academy was a single by John Allen Ingram in the first inning.

The winning pitcher for Pike Liberal Arts allowed two hits and zero runs over seven innings, striking out 15 and walking one.

Hayden Roberts took the loss for Morgan Academy. He went one inning, allowing three runs on two hits and walking zero. 

Osagie Aghedo started the game for the Senators. He allowed six hits and three runs over five innings, striking out nine.

Ingram and Gardner each managed one hit to lead Morgan Academy. And Clements drew the only walk of the night for the Senators. 

Pike Liberal Arts scattered eight hits in the game and stole five stolen bases.  The Patriots were sure handed in the field and did not commit a single error.