The Royal Oak Leprechauns stranded the tying run on third base during the ninth on Sunday in what ended up being a 6-5 loss to the Rockford Rivets. 

Royal Oak had trailed from the second inning on, but the team put up a valiant effort to make things interesting on its final chance, scoring three runs in the ninth inning after entering the frame down 6-2. 

Rockford got all six of its runs in between the second and fifth innings, where the Rivets scored twice in the first two of those frames before scoring one apiece in the fourth and the fifth.

In the ninth, Royal Oak got in the position to tie things after back-to-back walks with one out, followed by an RBI single from Dylan Larkins (Georgetown) and a two-RBI double from Matt Ineich (Ohio) during his Leprechaun debut. Following that, Rockford changed arms and brought in Connor Brady, who got Royal Oak’s number two and three hitters to hit for outs and end the game.

The Leprechauns’ other two runs came from a sacrifice fly from Owen Turner (Yale) in the second and a Devan Zirwas (Eastern Michigan) RBI single during the eighth.

Royal Oak also got some good stuff from the back end of its bullpen. William Fockler (Alma) gave the home squad four innings of one-run ball. Brady Baalaer (Saginaw Valley State) threw a 1-2-3 ninth. 

In addition to Ineich’s debut, catcher Parker McDaniels (Cincinnati) also made his first appearance as a Leprechaun on Sunday. McDaniels didn’t record a hit, but drew two walks. 

Ineich went 1-for-5 — the hit being that two-RBI double — but also came within a few feet of a home run during the fifth.

Royal Oak also got a three-hit day from Larkins along with two hits from Zirwas and Nolan Alvord (Grand Valley State). Larkins also had an RBI and a stolen base on his day.

Now, the 7-6 Leprechauns will try to bounce back during a brief, two-day road trip for a two-game series against the Battle Creek Battle Jacks. The games on Monday and Tuesday are both set for 6:35 p.m. ET and both can be viewed for free on NWL+. Royal Oak’s next home game will be on Wednesday against the Madison Mallards.