MANKATO – Fairmont Junior Legion Post 36 dropped to Mankato National Junior Legion 13-3 on Thursday night in a DI Sub-State G Junior Legion Baseball Tournament elimination game at Wolverton Field.

National ended the game in the sixth due to the 10-run lead rule.

Despite starting several innings with guys on base, the Fairmont offense couldn’t keep up with Mankato’s scoring attack.

The Fairmont bats began the contest with some rhythm after a Mankato error turned pitcher Joseph Hackett’s single into a double.

However, this rally quickly faded. After Hackett got thrown out attempting to steal third, Mankato starting pitcher Dominic Murphy forced a weak pop-up to end the inning.

Despite Hackett starting his initial frame with a pair of strikeouts, the National offense took advantage of a pair of Fairmont mistakes.

With two runners on base, Murphy reached first after an error in the field, scoring a run and keeping the inning alive.

Damage continued to be drawn after this mistake.

Consecutive hits by Chase Bentdahl and Kayden Rux tacked on two more runs, throwing up a crooked number early in the contest.

Fairmont started the second inning with another early hit, this time from Mac Larson. This again was ended abruptly after a fielder’s choice and two pop-ups finished the frame, leaving Fairmont still scoreless.

The Fairmont offense did show some life during their third trip to the plate.

Down 5-0, Hackett reached base with two outs on the board from a Mankato error. Mason Bicknase drove in Fairmont’s first run of the day with a screeching double to left field.

Heading into the fifth inning, Fairmont found themselves down 8-1 after two more scoring frames from Mankato.

The offense, however, stayed aggressive.

Fairmont loaded the bases after two hit-by-pitches and a walk with no outs recorded. After Nolyn Goerndt scored a run via a fielder’s choice, Larson recorded his second hit of the contest with a shot to left field, scoring one more run and ending the inning with a five run deficit.

But that was all for the Fairmont batting order.

Mankato stayed hot from the plate in the next two offensive trips, scoring five runs on four hits and taking advantage of untimely Fairmont mishaps, ending the contest in the sixth inning.

Murphy finished his day on the mound with six frames, giving up two earned runs while striking out one batter.

Fairmont’s Larson ended the day going 3 for 3 at the plate with an RBI.

Mankato advances in the DI Sub-State G Junior Legion bracket, taking on New Prague on Friday at 2:30 p.m., while Fairmont’s season comes to a close with a 10-7 record.