NEWARK VALLEY - The Cardinals struggled to get things going offensively on Wednesday afternoon, dropping a hard fought loss to Groton, 5-0.

Gabe Merrill was excellent on the hill for the Cardinals. Merrill pitched four straight scoreless innings before Groton broke through in the fifth. Merrill finished with nine strikeouts for the day, while only allowing one earned run.

Groton scored three in the fifth and two in the top half of the seventh to take home the victory.

Joshua Benjamin lead Newark Valley from the plate. Benjamin went 2-for-4, while Merrill was 1-for-1 and Scott Wager went 1-for-3.

Newark Valley is on the diamond again Friday, traveling to Newfield.