Early struggles at the plate proved to be costly for the Helper Merchants as they suffered an 8-4 loss to American Leadership Academy in a league contest Monday afternoon in Spanish Fork.

Trailing 1-0 entering the fifth inning, the Merchants allowed five earned runs as the deficit grew. The offense finally found its footing but it was too late as Helper dipped to 2-2 in division play.

“This is a team we’ve beat twice already and I think our team came in over confident,” said manager Dakota Cisneros. “It was a tough game for us. I give ALA a lot of credit. They came out fast and we didn’t, which led to a rough outing.”

While scoring just four runs in the game, Helper managed to out hit ALA 10-8. Wyatt Falk was responsible for three of those hits as he ended 3-4 with two singles and a double. Dallen Oneil also recorded multiple hits as too finished 3-4.

Falk was hit with the loss on the mound as allowed two hits, two earned runs and struck out two batters in three innings of work. Oneil came in relief as he allowed six hits and five earned runs.

Monday’s game is the first of three in three days for Helper as this week’s schedule was forced to be reworked. Tuesday night the Merchants will return home as they host Salem Hills. The two teams will meet Wednesday night as the venue will change, sending Helper on the road.