TAYLOR, Mich. — For the third straight year, Pearl City earned the chance to compete for the Junior League (13- and 14-year-olds) World Series championship. But unless it can regroup in a hurry, the team might again head home with a consolation prize.

El Campo, Texas, scored five runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-0 victory over Pearl City yesterday in the first day of pool play.

Pearl City managed just two hits and never moved a base runner past second. Texas pitcher Matthew Hamman pitched a complete game, striking out nine batters.

"He pitched a hell of a game," Pearl City manager Mitchell Yamato said. "He's one of the better pitchers we've faced."

Pearl City's batters came to the plate unprepared, Yamato said, swinging at bad pitches, getting behind in the count and not recovering.

"Our mental preparedness wasn't what it should be," he said. "The competition is gonna be that good this whole tournament. We've got to be focused on what we're gonna do. I think we lost focus on the job that we were supposed to be doing."

A bright spot for Pearl City was the pitching of Kahana Neal, who replaced starter Robert Brown in the second inning. He allowed four runs, but Texas had few solid hits against him.

"He got touched up a little, but he did good," Yamato said.

Texas manager Mark Van Gorp said he believes Pearl City will play much better in the days ahead.

"They're gonna be back," he said. "I'm actually surprised (the game was so lopsided). They're a real solid ball club and we'll probably see them down the road again."

Pearl City is off today and resumes play tomorrow against North Cumberland, N.J.