Photo by Chris Drummond Milroy Irish catcher Derek Smith swings at a pitch during Wednesday night’s game against Hadley. Milroy won Game 1 of the Region 13C semifinal series 1-0.

By Chris Drummond

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

MILROY — In a game that featured the No. 1 Milroy Irish hosting the No. 4 Hadley Buttermakers in the Region 13C semifinals best of three series, the difference in the game was a couple of Windom Pirates — Collin Lovell and Ben Heichel, draftees on each team.

The Irish defeated the Buttermakers 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel. Game 2 is Saturday at 2 p.. in Hadley.

Lovell started for the Irish and pitched a complete game, only surrendering six hits and one walk while striking out nine.

Heichel, started at third base for the Irish. He hit a RBI double off the centerfield wall for the only run in the game. Derek Smith and Dominick Dolan led the Irish in hits with two apiece.

The Buttermakers started Windom draftee Luke Gilbertson, who surrendered just one first-inning run. Gilbertson had three walks and eight strikeouts in the contest.

The Buttermakers had multiple chances to tie the game up with runners in scoring position, but each time they would fail to convert on those opportunities.

“Stressful,” Irish manager Anthony Dolan said. “Collin threw a hell of a game tonight and you don’t think that you will score the game-winning run in the first inning, but Ben set the tone with that RBI double and that what won it for us.”

It the third straight victory this season over Hadley for Milroy. Myron Bennett, manager of the Buttermakers, assessed his team’s play in tonight’s loss.

“This was a pitcher’s duel tonight,” Bennett said. “You hate to lose this game but it was a heck of a game to watch. We’ll continue to keep playing hard and tighten up even more on defense as we play at home on Saturday.”