-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Drew DeMers of Gypsum Miners catches a fly ball against Carroll on Friday at Patterson Field

The Fort Dodge Gypsum Miners baseball squad started strong Thursday night at Carroll.

Jose Guillen Jr. and Americo Luis hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning as the Miners put up a five-spot against the Merchants.

But the sizzle didn’t last.

“Our bats started off hot,” Drew DeMers said. “We scored five runs in the first and then Kavan (Crowell) did really well pitching, but we made a few errors and it snowballed. We let the momentum go to Carroll’s side and we couldn’t really get it back after that.”

DeMers did what he could to help the cause, doubling in the fifth inning.

The 21-year-old outfielder smacked a fastball to right field on a 1-0 count.

But DeMers was left on base and the Miners ended up falling to the Merchants, 9-7.

That brought the Miners’ season record to 5-8.

DeMers said on Thursday that the team was looking to improve its situational hitting — their 2 out approach and their 2 strike approach.

“Also knowing what to do before the ball is to us and always thinking ahead,” DeMers said.

On Friday night, the Miners’ bats came alive at Patterson Field in their second game against Carroll.

“We scored four runs to start off the game,” DeMers said. “The bats went silent after that for a little while and then in the sixth inning we picked it back up.”

Sam Kimmorley hit a two-run home run in the sixth.

“After that we put together a couple of good innings and scored three runs an inning from then on,” DeMers said.

DeMers played right field and batted eighth during the contest.

He had three infield hits and a run scored as the Miners won 13-5.

On his off days, DeMers said he’s still looking forward to trying out some of the golf courses in the Fort Dodge area.

“They look really nice,” he said.

DeMers planned to go on an off day earlier in the week, but the grass was too wet.

The Miners (13-5) will travel to Ames today to play the Peak Prospects. First pitch is 6:30 p.m.