Morgan Academy senior varsity baseball continues to win, upping record to 14-2

Following an 8-3 home win over Southern Academy on March 24, the Morgan Academy senior varsity baseball team upped its season record to 14-2 with a 6-0 and 10-8 doubleheader sweep of Ezekiel Academy at home on March 25.

On Friday, in game one, two Morgan Academy pitchers worked together for a 6-0 shutout. Matthew Hand induced a double play to finish the game.

The Senators secured the win thanks to five runs in the fifth inning. The big inning was driven by an error on a ball put in play by Walter Gilmore and John Allen Ingram and a double by T.B. Clements. From the mound Hand surrendered zero runs on one hit over one inning, striking out one and walking zero for Morgan.

Andrew Thomas started the game for the Morgan Senators. He went six innings, allowing zero runs on one hit, striking out 12 and walking zero. Ingram went two-for-three at the plate to lead Morgan in hits. Ingram also led Morgan with four stolen bases.

In game two, the Senators grabbed a lead in the sixth inning for a 10-8 victory. The game was tied at 8-all with Morgan batting in the bottom of the sixth when Thomas homered on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

But it was Clements who led Morgan to victory by driving in four runs. He went three for four at the plate and drove in runs on a double in the first and a double in the sixth. On the mound for Morgan, Clements lasted one inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out one and walking one. Jack Moore threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Hayden Roberts started the game for Morgan. He went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out seven and walking one.

The Senators tallied 11 hits. Clements, C.J. Crocker, Ingram, Baron Frazer and Thomas all collected multiple hits. The Senators stole 10 bases during the game as five players stole more than one. Gilmore led the way with two.

Following the doubleheader sweep, Morgan Academy varsity head baseball coach Stephen Clements said, “Really proud of the way our guys responded in the bottom of the sixth in game two. Down three runs and all the momentum on their side, to respond that way shows a lot of leadership.”

Clements recalled a leadoff walk by Milton Hand and back-to-back singles from Ingram and Crocker followed by a huge double off the wall by Clements to tie the game. He added that a stolen base to third and the go-ahead run on pass ball followed by a solo home run over the left field wall by Thomas “was awesome.”

In March 24 action, the Senators survived a scare from Southern Academy at home for an 8-3 win.

In the second inning, the Senators coughed up three runs to Southern. The Senators opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning when Clements doubled. But Southern Academy knotted the score at 3-all in the top of the second inning.

The Senators pulled away in the third inning when Thomas drew a walk, scoring one run. Thomas also went one inning from the mound for Morgan, allowing zero runs on zero hits, striking out three and walking zero.

Southern pitchers gave up seven runs on five hits over five innings, striking out seven, and gave up one run in one inning allowing zero hits and a walk. Clay Beers started the game and was the winning pitcher for Morgan Academy, lasting five innings, allowing one hit and three runs while striking out three, and Jack Moore threw one inning in relief.

Thomas, Clements, Ingram, Crocker and Gilmore each collected one hit to lead Morgan at the plate. The Senators also stole seven bases with Crocker leading the way with three.

Clements said, “Having some time off was good for the guys to get some much-needed rest. Clay Beers and Jack Moore threw really well.”

The Senators are in AISA Class AAA Region 2 Area 1, which includes Clarke Prep, Fort Dale and Monroe. They are 4-0 in area play.