Thursday could very well been a huge teaching tool for Jessie Riojas to use for his Port Arthur Memorial Titans.

The Titans were one-hit by the Deer Park Deer and lost 11-0 in five innings.

Riojas talked with his team all game long about competing. There were times the Titans listened and times they looked flat.

The first Memorial (4-6, 1-1 in District 21-6A) hit didn’t come until the fourth inning. Kevin Cruz Lugo slapped a single off Deer Park (10-1, 2-0) starter Peyton Sherlin, who hurled four innings and struck out five with no walks.

“We have to gain momentum from this game and carry it over to next week’s game against Baytown Sterling,” Riojas said. “That is sometimes all we can do against those guys [Deer]. This is my fifth year here and Deer Park has always been this tough.”

Devuan Anderson got the start for Memorial and lasted 1 2/3 innings. He gave up five runs on four hits with one hit and four walks.

Carlos Granados also threw 1 2/3 and allowed six runs on five hits with one strikeout and one walk. Joe Chretien tossed the final 1 2/3 and gave up no hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

“We want guys who compete,” Riojas said. “This is the most talented team I have had here at Memorial. I believe in these guys and truly think we should compete for the second or third playoff spot in district.”

Sherlin was rolling through the first three innings.

He got two groundouts and a fly out in the first inning and then picked up his first two strikeouts in the second.

Cameron Thompson was 2 for 3 at the plate for the Deer with two doubles and three RBI. Tanner Goodwin scored three times and walked twice. Clay Aguilar was 2 for 2 with two RBI and a run scored.

Deer Park jumped on Memorial for two runs in the first and added three more to lead 5-0 heading into the third.

The Deer led 8-0 after three and tacked on three more runs in the fourth.

“Deer Park has been the best team in the district since I been here,” Riojas said. “They reload every year. All we do is try to do the best we can and try to compete throughout the whole game. All we can do is keep battling and try to get that momentum for the next game.”

The Titans face Sterling at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Baytown.