RIO GRANDE — It was a game of give and forsake.

The St. Joseph Flyers gave away runs and failed to take advantage of their opportunities in an 8-3 loss to the Trimble Tomcats Wednesday in the Division IV district semifinals.

“We made some mistakes that gave them runs and we didn’t cash in on our scoring chances,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.

“When you play teams at this level, you’re putting yourself in a tough position when you don’t make the plays. We didn’t make the plays that we’ve been making all season.”

The Flyers (16-3) took a 1-0 led in the first inning when Chad Harvey tripled and scored on a wild pitch.

Trimble got a run in the second inning to tie the game only to have St. Joseph comeback with a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.

The Tomcats scored two runs in the third inning to take the lead when Taylor Russell’s routine fly ball was misplayed for a two-run error.

Joey Basedow singled home the tying run in the fourth inning and the Flyers had an opportunity to take the lead.

Levi Hopkins singled to put runners at first and third with one out. But Russell — the Trimble pitcher — struck out the next two batters to end the inning.

Charles Kish had a two-run single in the fifth inning to go ahead for good at 5-3.

Pat Gagai reached second base with two outs in the bottom of the inning but was left stranded.

Three walks loaded the bases in the sixth and Adam Mulford singled to drive in two runs and give Trimble a -3 lead.

Kasey Cruse had an RBI singled in the seventh to give Trimble its final run.

The Flyers loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but failed to capitalize.

Hopkins had two hits to lead the Flyers.

Blackburn went 5.1 innings and suffered the loss. He struck out seven, walked six and gave up five earned runs.

Trimble (11-12) plays Symmes Valley at 5 p.m. on Friday in the district finals at Rio Grande.

Trimble 012 022 1 = 8 8 1

St. Joseph 110 100 0 = 3 7 1

Taylor Russell and Kasey Cruse. Caleb Blackburn, Tanner Riley (6) and Pat Gagai. W-Russell (7-K, 6-BB). L-Blackburn (7-K, 6-BB, 5-ER). 3B-St. Joseph: Chad Harvey. Hitting-Trimble: Charles Kish 2-3, Chaz Craig 2-3; St. Joseph: Levi Hopkins 2-3, Chad Harvey 1-3, Joey Basedow 1-3, T.J. Young 1-3, Joseph Unger 1-3, Pat Gagai 1-3.