By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

CHESHIRE — The schedule says the St. Joseph Flyers lost their first game of the season on Friday, but in reality it was probably Thursday night.

Coming off a thrilling 12-11 win over Green in 11 innings on Thursday in a battle of unbeatens, the Flyers came up short to the River Valley Raiders 4-1 on Friday in a game shortened to six innings due to strong winds and rain.

“We were flat. I was afraid that was going to happen,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant. “We let (River Valley) hang around and you can’t do that. We just didn’t have any enthusiasm or intensity.”

The Flyers (6-1) got their run in the first inning when Payton Blair walked, Levi Hopkins put down a sacrifice bunt and Tanner Riley reached on an error.

River Valley came back with all their runs in the second inning.

Jacob Brown singled, Cody Smith hit into a force play, Brandon Smith walked, Dan Goodrich had a sacrifice bunt and Trey Farley delivered a two-run double.

Austin Davies then walked and Tyler Noble drove in two runs with a double.

Justin Mahlmeister pitched well as he gave up only four hits, struck out seven and walked four.

T.J. Young and Riley each went 1-3 and Luke McGraw 1-2 for the Flyers’ hits. Riley’s hit was a double.

Cody Wimmer got the win and Brown went 2-3.

The Flyers will play a doubleheader at home Monday against Sciotoville East and face Ironton on Tuesday.

St. Joseph 100 000 = 1 3 2

River Valley 040 00x = 4 4 3

Justin Mahlmeister and T.J. Young. Cody Wimmer and Jacob Brown. W-Wimmer (K-4, BB-3). L-Mahlmeister (K7, BB-4). 2B-St. Joseph: Tanner Riley; River Valley: Tyler Noble, Trey Farley. Hitting-St. Joseph: Tanner Riley 1-3, T.J. Young 1-3, Luke McGraw 1-2; River Valley: Tyler Noble 1-3, Jacob Brown 2-3, Trey Farley 1-1.