Photo by Kim Nelson: Milroy catcher Derek Smith takes a swing during the Irish's 6-1 win over the Royals in Ruthton on June 28, 2023.

On a beautiful night for baseball in Ruthton, the Royals took on the always-powerful Milroy Irish. It was Woodstock Communications Appreciation night, and there was a big crowd that was treated to burgers, chips and ice cream from Lingen Dairy. They witnessed a good ballgame, and in a very competitive game, the Irish came out on top by a score of 6-1.

The Irish scored first when Tyler Maeyaert doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Derek Smith. In the bottom of the first, Tyler Peterson shut down the Royals with two strikeouts and a foul out.

In the top of the second, Anthony Dolan drew a one-out walk from starting pitcher Brayden Baartman, and he was able to reach third on a stolen base and a wild pitch but was stranded there as the inning ended with a strikeout and a ground out. The Royals threatened to score in their half of the second after singles by Shay Wabeke and Walker Kor, but a fly out to center ended the threat.

The top of the third inning started well for the Irish with a walk and Tyler Maeyaert was hit by a pitch. Starter Brayden Baartman developed arm soreness and was relieved by Brent Wiering. A walk loaded the bases and Levi Maeyaert grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Dominic Dolan. But Wiering was able to work out of the jam by getting a popout to end the inning with only one run allowed.

Tyler Alcorn got the Irish going in the top of the fourth with a one-out walk. Following a strikeout, Dominic Dolan singled and Maeyaert walked to load the bases. Yet, a groundout to third ended the inning with no runs.

The sixth inning started out harmlessly with a groundout and a flyout. But Tyler Maeyaert drew a walk, stole second, and scored on a throwing error. A flyout ended the inning, but the Irish now had a 3-0 lead.

Dominic Dolan started the top of the eighth with a walk and promptly stole second. Tyler Maeyaert drew a walk. After an outstanding job in relief, Wiering was replaced by Chris Dougherty. An infield single loaded the bases, and Tyler Peterson drove in Dolan with a sacrifice fly. Levi Maeyaert got an RBI with a ground out to first. A ground out ended the inning, but the Irish had tacked on two more runs to make it a 4-0 game. Thanks to an outstanding catch by Derek Smith on a sinking line drive to left, the Royals were unable to take advantage of a two-out single by Jamar Zollner, ending the inning with a strikeout.

The top of the ninth saw the Irish add two insurance runs, with consecutive doubles by Tucker Fiene and Dominic Dolan. Singles by Tyler Maeyaert and Derek Smith plated another run, and the Irish had a comfortable 6-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. Cody Wichmann started the inning with a

single to right and advanced to second on a throwing error. He advanced to third on a passed ball, and Eric Wiering broke up the shutout with a single to right, scoring Wichmann. A groundout ended the game, with the Irish on top 6-1 to get a hard-earned victory.

Milroy will next host Brookings at the Irish Yard on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Ruthton will go on the road to face the Hadley Buttermakers on Sunday at 2 p.m.