FAIRHOPE—Four was not the charm.

The fourth annual Battle of the Bay soccer showcase boys title at W.C. Majors Field went west again as the Mobile boys won 2-1 over Baldwin Friday in Fairhope.

It was the fourth straight defeat for the Baldwin side.

Foley’s Jorge Santa Maria scored the lone Baldwin goal off a ball sent by Ethan Aycox of Spanish Fort during a strong momentum swing late in the second half.

But it was only enough to avoid the shutout.

“We came out with a loss again, but we kept fighting,” Santa Maria said. “We didn’t give up. We all played our hearts out. It was a great cross by (Aycox ) and I was able to head it in, but we didn’t have time to score again.”

The comeback rally showed the fighting spirit in the Baldwin players who — with Fairhope winning the 6A state championship and Daphne, Foley and Spanish Fort going deep into the playoffs as well as Bayside and Robertsdale having strong seasons — had more expected of them this year.

“I felt the talent pool was here this year on this side of the Bay,” said Spring Hill College head coach Adam Pearce.

“But even though the state champs came out of Baldwin County, here in Fairhope, the Mobile side had the better team — for tonight at least — and it shows how the quality of soccer is improving all over this area.”

Greg Hosford of Davidson scored first for the 1-0 Mobile lead at the half and Kyle Morris of McGill-Toolen made it 2-0 in the second.

Win or lose, Pearce had more than the game on his mind. He had the loss of his 58-year-old father, Steve Pearce, on his heart.

Proceeds from the showcase go to the M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital through the Kicks for Cancer foundation, along with matching funds from Victor and Lee Teumer.

“Most of all, that’s what it’s about,” Pearce said. “I’ve been asked to do this the last three years, but last year my father was dealing with cancer so I couldn’t be here.

“Unfortunately, he’s passed along. But when they asked me to do this again, it was all the more reason because of this cause and because my heart is really into it.

“It’s great when the community in and around the Bay here can get behind something like this. Getting to combine soccer and a good cause in a fun event like this is a real privilege.”