HUTCHINSON — After a scoreless first four innings, the Milroy Irish’s pitching and defense faltered late in their first-round matchup against the Farming Flames in the Minnesota Baseball Association Class C State Tournament on Saturday. The Flames scored three fifth-inning runs and the Irish were unable to answer, falling 7-0.

The Irish’s defense shined despite the loss. Moses Dolan fielded a line drive at second to turn a 4-3 double play in the third inning, and Dominic Dolan fielded a ground ball to turn a 6-4-3 double play in the seventh.

Ryan Rasche, drafted from the Jackson Bulls, was charged with the loss on the mound for Milroy. After holding Farming without a run for the first four innings, he finished the day giving up three earned runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He also struck out six batters on the day.

Will Mergen scored the go-ahead run for Farming when he walked, Isaac Nett doubled and Ethan Navratil was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Adam Winkels dropped a sacrifice bunt to push across the go-ahead run and Tyler Schroeder followed up with a two-run double to make the score 3-0.

Milroy finished with five hits to Farming’s 10, and drew one walk to Farming’s six. Tyler Peterson doubled for the lone extra-base hit for the Irish while Derek Smith, Andrew Wallen, Noah Knakmuhs and Moses Dolan each singled.

Ty Reller, a draftee from New Munich, pitched a complete-game shutout for the Flames. He struck out seven batters on the day.

Trevor Smith gave up one earned run over one inning of relief while Craig Lasley gave up three hits on three earned runs without getting an out. Will Larson took over in the eighth without giving up an earned run, giving up a pair of walks to allow inherited runners to score.

Milroy put a pair of runners on base when Anthony Dolan walked and Noah Knakmuhs singled with two outs in the seventh, but a ground out ended the rally.

Winkels followed up a Navratil double with an RBI single to give the Flames an insurance run in the seventh. Farming added three more runs in the eighth on an RBI single, a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly.

Winkels led Farming with two singles, two RBIs and a walk while Schroeder logged a single, two walks and a pair of RBIs. Drew Cramlet also singled twice while Mergen logged a single and two walks with an RBI.​

BOX SCORE

MILROY

T. Reller: W, 9 IP, 5 H, BB, 7 SO.