It was a similar story for the Warrenton Seniors in their 9-6 loss to New Haven Saturday, which eliminated them from the Ninth District Tournament.

Warrenton committed four errors and had to work around four walks less than 24 hours after losing a heartbreaking quarterfinal game to Elsberry.

“I don’t think it was nerves, I just think it was a lack of not having the right mindset,” Warrenton Manager Scott Butler said of the defense. “It’s hard to get geared up to play a game when you should have won the night before and be playing a different team the next day in the winner’s bracket.”

Warrenton tied the game at two in the top of the fifth on a pair of New Haven miscues.

The New Haven coaching staff was less than pleased on a wild pitch that scored Charlie Gerard, arguing James Dotson interfered with the catcher.

The next pitch, Troy Muse was allowed to score on a balk, tying the game and swinging any perceived momentum straight to the Warrenton dugout.

It wouldn’t last.

A single, walk and two Muse errors at shortstop gave New Haven the lead and pushed starting pitcher Chris Garrett out of the game.

“He’s the type of pitcher that won’t blow it by anyone, but will get you a ton of ground balls,” Butler said. “He doesn’t walk anyone, either, and he walked quite a few this game. That can lead to the defense falling asleep more and not being ready. Garrett usually works ahead, works fast, throws a ton of strikes and the defense knows a ground ball will be coming and they are usually ready for it. That’s not a good excuse at all for his defense, but that’s what could have happened.”

Chris Vogt relieved Garrett, but gave up three consecutive singles to extend New Haven’s lead to 8-2.

Warrenton rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth, but struggled to complete the comeback without its full roster.

Starters Chase Jones and Hunter Capstick missed the game due to prior commitments.

The duo hit .308 and .339, respectively, and combined for 16 doubles and 21 RBIs this summer.

“It was tough not having our whole team there at the most important time of the year,” Butler said. “Chase and Capstick provide defensive help and lineup durability. Capstick is a proven No. 4 hitter and Chase is a quality hitter, as well. Not having our full team there really hurt, and it showed both offensively and defensively.”

Muse led the Warrenton offense with two hits and a walk.

Hunter Russell drove in three runs on a ninth-inning double to center.

Gerard, Dotson, Vogt, Austin Nicolas and Tyler Brittain each collected a hit.

The offense as a whole, however, struggled to put together consistent at-bats all afternoon.

“I thought their approaches weren’t great, but that was them just trying to do too much,” Butler said. “It seemed like every swing was trying to hit it in the gap instead of an easy swing and trying to hit the ball up the middle. In certain counts you want to hit the gap. But with two strikes, you just have to put the ball in play.”