Mount Zion had jumped out to an 11-1 lead against the Eagles in the first two innings, then later stretched the difference to 12-1 in the top of the fourth inning of their high school baseball game.
Head coach Michael Adcock said although Excel had some bright spots, Mount Zion was the better team Tuesday.
"We scored, but it was a little late," he said. "Mount Zion pitched better and played defense better. They were the better ball club today."
The Eagles' initial score came in the first inning after Lane Blackwell, who got aboard with a walk, stole second then moved to third when a pickoff attempt went awry, scored on an RBI single by Tucker West.
Mount Zion (5-18, 4-12 Region 6-A) scored five runs in the first, six in the second, one in the fourth, and one in fifth on a balk.
Excel (1-17, 1-15) may have been down early, but it didn't know the meaning of quit as the Eagles exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, to close to 12-5. Scoring in that frame for the Eagles were Thomas Farmer and Dustin Parrott on a double by Phillip Looney; Blackwell on a sacrifice by Mason Butt; and Looney on West's second RBI single of the evening.
Excel scored its final run in the sixth inning when Parrott tripled to left field and then scored on a single by Blackwell.
Excel, which tallied eight hits on the evening, got much of its offensive punch from West, who went 3 for 4; Blackwell, 2 for 3; and Parrott, 1 for 2 with a triple and a walk.
Mount Zion pounded out 10 hits.
Adcock said Excel's young arms gained some experience on the mound and earned some early highlights for their careers.
"Morgan Smith pitched four innings and gave up one earned run. Lane Blackwell set down three in a row in an inning," he said. "They are both freshmen, and their performances are something we can build on."
The Eagles return to the diamond Friday against Bremen, when they close out their season. Game time is 5 p.m.