Colonels suffer early setbacks to Rochester teams

Staff

Published Tuesday, May 31, 2005

By Nathan Cooper, Tribune Sports Writer

The Albert Lea Colonels suffered losses to two tough Rochester teams last weekend.

Friday, the opponent was the Rochester Blues. The game was a pitcher's duel throughout, but the breaks went the way of Rochester in the 4-0 win.

Mitch Meier started on the mound and worked five innings, allowing two hits and no walks. He surrenderred an unearned run. The left-hander struck out two.

Derek Anderson entered and allowed three earned runs in 1 1/3 innings. He gave up two hits and a pair of walks. Jeff Schulz finshed the job in an inning and 2/3, striking out four and walking two.

"We had our chances early," said manager Bill Trygstad. "We just couldn't get that key hit.

For the game, Albert Lea left nine baserunners stranded.

Matt Trygstad led the offense with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate. Derrick Bauer and Phil Wacholz had the Colonels' other hits.

Mitch Meier pitched very well for us," added Trygstad.

Sunday, the Colonels hosted the Rochester Royals, who finished second in the Class B state tournament a year ago.

Sloppy defense led to 10 unearned runs in the 13-0, seven inning loss at Albert Lea.

"They are a very solid, veteran team," said Trygstad. "The key was errors and walks. They have a good lineup top to bottom and we faced some very good pitchers.

One of those pitchers, Andy Krage, was drafted by the Twins. He and the Royals' starting pitcher combined to no-hit the locals.

Derek Goodnature started and went three innings, allowing five hits and six walks. He gave up three earned runs and struck out three.

Derek Anderson came in for three innings in relief, and allowed three unearned runs on two walks,

three hits, and four strikeouts. Schulz pitched a scoreless seventh.

"It should have been a lot closer game if we wouldn't have had those errors," commented Trygstad.

The Royals, along with the Austin Greyhounds are the top two picks to win the Southern Minny League, according to Trygstad.

The Colonels continue their schedule Friday at home against Hayfield for a 7:30 contest. They host Faribault Sunday at 7 p.m.

Blues 4, Colonels 0

AL 000 000 000 - 0 4 2

RB

000 100 30x - 4 4 1

LP - Mitch Meier

Royals 13, Colonels 0

RB

332 500 0 - 13 8 0

AL 000 000 0 - 0 0 6

LP - Derek Goodnature

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