The Marshfield High School varsity baseball team didn’t quite get the start they hoped for in conference play, losing 11-3 to visiting Churchill in Wednesday’s Midwestern League season opener.

The first inning saw the Lancers jump out to a commanding 4-0 lead with the help of Brad Birch’s home run that sent two other Churchill runners across home plate. The Lancers added another run in the inning.

Marshfield got all its runs in the second inning. Pirate pitcher Jesse McClintock scored on a passed ball and then Ryan Campbell hit a double to score Levi Meline and Garrett Hill.

The score remained the same until the seventh inning, when Churchill was able to score seven runs.

McClintock had to be replaced on the mound by Meline shortly into the inning.

“Jesse got tired, and I probably should have changed a little earlier,” said Marshfield coach Quintin Hall.

The Pirates suffered eight strikeouts from Churchill pitcher Matt Myrmo.

“Myrmo threw a great game,” said Hall, “and it’s tough to win a game with that many strikeouts.”

Birch finished with three hits and four RBIs for the Lancers. Ben Straka, Justin Hoffman and Max Berrien each had a double and a single for Churchill.

Hall said Wednesday’s loss would not get his players down heading into Friday’s game at Springfield.

“We’re slowly getting there,” he said. “We’re not going to judge ourself on one game.”