NATCHEZ — The runs came in bunches in Trinity Episcopal Day School’s game against Columbia Academy, but all but one of them were credited to the Lady Cougars.

All in all, it was a rough day for the Lady Saints, who fell to 0-5 in MAIS District 5-AA play Thursday, losing 15-1.

Columbia Academy led 5-0 after just two innings, and the Lady Cougars eventually forced the 10-runs-after-five mercy rule.

Trinity’s only run came in the bottom of the fifth, when Mallory Lancaster drilled a single that sent home Marty Lewis.

“We bounced back and continued to play hard, we’re just young and inexperienced,” Lady Saints head coach Chris Hutchins said.

“When we play talented teams that are well-coached, it’s going to be hard. I’m proud of the way my players fought through the heat. They didn’t complain.”

Kailey Hutchins took the loss for Trinity, going 4 1/3 innings and giving up nine runs on seven hits with five walks and two strikeouts.

Lewis actually took over for Hutchins in the top of the fifth, but after Lewis gave up a few runs, Hutchins returned to the mound to get the final out.

An RBI single by Dianna Hobgood scored Columbia’s first run in the top of the first, and Miranda Magee came home on a passed ball. Erin Spell singled in Tatum Windhum and Jordan McNabb, giving the Lady Cougars an early 4-0 lead.

Columbia added a run in the top of the second after Alex Anthony came home on an error.

An inside-the-park grand slam by Hobgood extended the Lady Cougars’ lead to 9-0 in the top of the fourth, and Columbia added six more runs in the top of the fifth inning.

Lewis finished the game 2-for-3 for the Lady Saints, and Lancaster was also 2-for-3.

With such a young team, Hutchins said he’s proud of the way his players have responded to Trinity’s rough district stretch.

“To be honest, I think the players do a better job keeping us encouraged (than the coaches do them),” Hutchins said. “They keep it all on the field, so they don’t think about it at school the next day.”

And Hutchins said he hopes the disappointing season will motivate his players to work hard in preparation for next year.

“You hope they see things they can do better and improve for the next game,” Hutchins said. “When you lose quite a few games, it ought to motivate you to improve in the offseason, and I think it will.”

Trinity will host Porter’s Chapel at 6 p.m. Monday for senior night.