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MARSHALL - Not enough offense.

The Milroy Irish managed only two runs on four hits and it just wasn't enough to keep up with the high-octane offense of the Spencer Cardinals.

The Cardinals came out swinging, ripping two doubles in the first inning to score five runs and jump out to a lead they would never be challenged for.

"We knew they were going to be a very good team," Milroy Irish manager Bob Dolan said. "We just had to settle down a bit and we did as the game went on."

After Milroy hurler Alex Jones gave up a leadoff walk to Seth Thomas, he forced a flyout and groundout and the Irish found themselves one out away from ending the inning.

The clean-up hitter Cory Ege used patience to draw a two-out walk and put runners on first and second and a double by Mitch Fandels cleared the bases and gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.

Jeff Steen followed up with a single and Wade Davies drew a walk to load the bases and Brett Westwert made the Irish pay with a base clearing double to make it 5-0.

"In order for Alex (Jones) to be effective, he needs to throw strikes," Dolan said. "Alex had three walks and we just can't have that because they were a very good team and they made us pay."

Jones settled down after the first inning, retiring the side in order in the second, but he couldn't make the Cardinals offense go away as they added two runs in the second after back-to-back-to-back singles to plate two runs.

The Irish didn't come up with a hit until the bottom half of the third inning when Hans Zahrbock bunted for a base hit, Cory Nelson drew a walk to put runners on first and second.

Aaron Ogdahl was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Andy Ogdahl hit one right back to the pitcher who forced Nelson out at the plate. The catcher caught and positioned himself for a throw to first base for a double play, instead the ball hit Andy Ogdahl's helmet and bounced into the outfield far enough that the Irish were able to score two runs.

"We struggled early," Dolan said. "Every ball we hit was right at someone and they were finding the gaps. We struck out too often early in the game and didn't take advantage when we had runners on base."

The Irish played flawless defense making the play when there was a play to be made.

"In Amateur baseball you have to play good defense," Dolan said. "We are getting better defensively and offensively, we are improving every game."

Spencer added two runs in the sixth and three to seal the deal in the top half of the seventh to go on to win 12-2.

Zahrbock led the way at the plate for the Irish with two of the four hits going 2-for-3 with a walk.

Milroy took on Wilmont in the second game of the two-team doubleheader and used clutch doubles to win 4-2.

Tyler Peterson, Paul Ivers and John Gervais led the way each hitting a double for Milroy. Andy Ogdahl picked up the win on the mound going the distance with three strikeouts and five walks.

"We took the lead early and had a couple key hits," Dolan said. "Andy threw a great game and we had some good defensive plays behind him and our defense kept us in the game."

Milroy improves to 3-10 on the season and will be back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Pipestone for a 7:30 p.m. game.

Spencer 502 002 3-12 10 2

Milroy 002 000 0-2 4 0

S-Nick Redding. M-Alex Jones. WP-Redding. LP-Jones. 3B: S-Will Glindal. 2B: S-Mitch Fandels, Brett Westert.

Wilmont 002 000 0-2 8 1

Milroy 021 010 X-4 6 1

W-Ryan Swanson, Joe Ahrens (5). M-Andy Ogdahl. WP-Ogdahl. LP-Swanson. 2B: M-Tyler Peterson, Paul Ivers, John Gervais.