By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WESTWOOD, Ky. — Hitting wasn’t a problem. Scoring was another matter.

The St. Joseph Flyers banged out 10 hits but managed only three runs in an 8-3 loss to the Fairview Eagles on Monday.

“We hit the ball hard. Even our outs were hit hard,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.

“We still need to be more aggressive in the field. We’re not going after balls we should be. Teams who go somewhere in the tournament make the extra effort or they get beat.”

The Flyers (12-4) host Waterford at 5 p.m. Thursday at Mike Burcham Field. Admission is $5 as set by the OHSAA and no passes will be accepted.

Justin Mahlmeister was 3-4 to lead the Flyers’ offense. Tanner Riley and Levi Hopkins each went 2-3 and Payton Blair was 2-4.

Fairview also had 10 hits off four different St. Joseph pitchers.

“We threw everybody to try and keep everyone sharp,” Bryant.

The Flyers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Blair doubled and then Mahlmeister and Riley singled for a run. Cody Blackburn grounded out as Mahlmeister scored.

Fairview (10-11) tied the game in the second on a two-run homer by Brandon McDaniel.

The Eagles took the lead for good with three runs in the third on four straight hits including an RBI double by Chuck Leadingham.

Fairview scored single runs in each of the next three innings.

The Flyers final run came in the seventh when Mahlmeister had a one-out triple and Riley hit a sacrifice fly.

St. Joseph 200 000 1 = 3 10 2

Fairview 023 111 x = 8 10 0

Cody Blackburn, Justin Mahlmeister (3), T.J. Young (5), Tanner Riley (6) and Justin Mahlmeister, T.J. Young (3), Justin Mahlmeister (5). Austin Rowe and Chuck Leadingham. W-Rowe. L-Blackburn. 2B-St. Joseph: Payton Blair, Tanner Riley 2; Fairview: Leadingham. 3B-St. Joseph: Justin Mahlmeister. HR-Fairview: McDaniel. Hitting-St. Joseph: Payton Blair 2-4, Justin Mahlmeister 3-4, Tanner Riley 2-3, Cody Blackburn 1-3, Levi Hopkins 2-3; Fairview: Austin Rowe 1-3, Chuck Leadingham 1-3, Jonathan Burke 1-2, Jarred Virgin 3-3, Brandon McDaniel 3-4, Zach Messer 1-4.