Albert Lea Legion splits doubleheader at Winona

Published 10:46 pm Thursday, July 3, 2014

The Albert Lea Legion Post 56 baseball team held off a rally in the nightcap to split a doubleheader Tuesday at Winona.

Albert Lea lost 4-1 in Game 1 and won 10-6 in Game 2.

In Game 2, Winona took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Post 56 took a 5-2 advantage in the third and added another run in the fifth.

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However, Winona pushed the game to extra innings with four runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The eighth inning was scoreless, but Albert Lea scored four runs in the top of the ninth and held Winona scoreless in the bottom of the inning to preserve the win.

“We found a way to bounce back after they came back to tie it in the bottom of the seventh,” said Albert Lea coach Jay Enderson.

Jake Kilby took the win on the mound for Post 56. He pitched nine innings, struck out five batters and allowed two walks and three earned runs.

“He’s got a bright future, and he’s working on what he needs to work on,” coach Enderson said.

Albert Lea accumulated 15 hits, including four from Mason Hammer, who drove in a team-high five runs. Coach Enderson said Hammer is a designated hitter because of a rotator strain in his shoulder.

“It’s a challenge to sit on the bench when we’re in the outfield and then go in,” he said. “But he hit the ball really well.”

Jake Thompson and Chris Enderson each had three hits.

In Game 1, Enderson took the loss after four innings of pitching. Taylor Heavner took the mound for the last two innings. He struck out two batters and had gave up no runs or walks.

Wyatt Paulsen, Parker Mullenbach and Makael Lunning each had one hit.

Next, Albert Lea (6-6 overall) will host the Rochester Patriots at 6 p.m. Monday.