Win or lose, Monterey High School baseball coach Eric Richard wants his team get better during every game.

The Wolves kept the score within three runs Friday night until they allowed seven in the fifth inning, ultimately giving Mangham the 11-1 victory in Vidalia’s Tournament in five innings.

“We played good defense for most of the game,” Richard said. “We hung on as long as we could, but they are a good baseball team. We had a bad inning, and we have no margin of error with good teams.”

Peyton Holland took the loss for Monterey, pitching four innings. Although he tallied just two strikeouts, he received help from his team on catches of multiple fly balls.

During the fifth, however, MHS dropped three pops and committed five total errors.

“Peyton pitched a really great game, but things snowball,” Richard said. “Good things are contagious and bad things become contagious. That’s kind of what happening in that inning.”

The Wolves struggled at the plate as well, coming up with just one hit from shortstop Cooper Roach in the top of the fifth.

Senior first baseman Matthew Womack scored the only run for Monterey after being walked and stealing home.

“We didn’t get anything going,” Richard said. “I can’t tell you exactly what it was. We just didn’t put the bat to the ball.”

Richard said despite the loss, he is pleased with his team’s effort.

“It certainty benefits us anytime we see good competition.” he said. “We played a good game for four innings. When you’re out there playing, you always want to get better.”

The Wolves (5-4) will continue tournament play and face Vidalia at 1 p.m. today.