SACO — One inning can change everything in a baseball game.

Or in the case of Thornton Academy, two innings changed everything.

The Golden Trojans allowed seven runs to the Windham Eagles en route to a 11-5 loss on Saturday afternoon.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Thornton, dropping its record to 2-2 on the regular season. The Trojans have had success at the plate so far, but as head coach Ray Petit explained, there’s still work to be done from a defensive standpoint. Thornton made four errors in Saturday’s contest.

“I feel we can hit with anybody, we just need to show up and play defense,” Petit said. “When we don’t play defense, that’s when we get in trouble.”

Showing excellent plate discipline, the Eagles (2-2) forced Thornton starting pitcher Jeff Gelinas to toss 66 pitches in his first two innings. Windham collected four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run double from catcher Jack Herzig. The Eagles added three more runs in the second inning, including an RBI single from left fielder Matt McLean.

Gelinas settled down in his final three innings. For the contest, he allowed the seven runs (six earned) on six hits, striking out three batters.

“(Gelinas) struggled with his control early,” Petit said. “We didn’t play well defensively, and we can’t give them extra outs. That first inning set the tone for the first couple (innings).”

Offensively, the Trojans had their work cut out for them against Windham starter Cody Dube, who pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out four batters and gave up one walk. He was also the top hitter on the day for the Eagles, collecting three hits.

“He’s a warrior, for sure,” Windham head coach Mike Fullerton said. “This is the third game he’s pitched in the first four, and he’s beaten two very good teams. He’s a special kid, he doesn’t get rattled. He’s probably the most mentally tough kid I’ve ever coached.”

Thornton scored its first run of the game in the first inning, when Gelinas plated Steve Harmon from third on an RBI groundout. The Trojans scored again in the third inning, when Gelinas scored Jack Kenney on an RBI double to right field, cutting the lead to 7-2. Harmon plated Brandon Briggs on an RBI single in the sixth inning for Thornton’s third run of the game.

Briggs replaced Gelinas on the mound and pitched the final two innings for Thornton. Windham took advantage by scoring two more runs in the inning, adding its final two runs in the seventh, Joe Francouer’s two-run single highlighted, giving the Eagles an 11-3 lead.

Thornton made a comeback bid in the bottom of the seventh. Dillon Dunbar scored Kenney and Gelinas on a two-run double to bring the score to 11-5. But with two outs, Carlton Pendleton was robbed of a base hit on a diving catch by Windham center fielder McGyver Poulin to end the contest and seal the win for the Eagles.

Harmon was the top hitter in the contest for Thornton, collecting three hits.

The Trojans travel to South Portland on Tuesday.

— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 323.