Before they even left the field Thursday evening, Albert Lea High School softball coach Sherrie Gayken and her staff knew what the team would be doing in practice today.

Friday, April 27, 2001

Before they even left the field Thursday evening, Albert Lea High School softball coach Sherrie Gayken and her staff knew what the team would be doing in practice today.

&uot;We’ve got it all planned out,&uot; said Gayken. &uot;We’ll be doing plenty of hitting.&uot;

The reason? The Tigers totaled only six hits while being swept 13-1 and 7-1 by Winona in a Thursday doubleheader, and Gayken feels they’re capable and talented enough to do better.

&uot;We have players who can hit the ball, we shown that,&uot; said Gayken. &uot;We’re just not finishing our swings, we’re not hitting through the ball.&uot;

Despite their problems at the plate, the Tigers were within striking distance in the first game until Winona broke it open with eight runs in the fifth inning.

The Tigers had three hits – doubles by Jenny Hovendick and Amber Sickels and a single by Emily Ulve – while committing nine defensive errors. Rachel Tue started and took the pitching loss.

&uot;We were just big-time flat,&uot; said Gayken. &uot;I can’t remember the last time we had that many errors.&uot;

Jerri Mondeel, who was effective pitching in relief in the opener, started game two and was hit hard, giving up four runs in the first inning. Teresa Paczkowski went the rest of the way, allowing three earned runs on four hits, with two walks and two strikeouts.

Sickels and Amy Madsen doubled. Laura Olson had a single.

&uot;Defensively, we played better,&uot; said Gayken. &uot;We just didn’t have any sticks.&uot;

The Tigers, 1-5, play three games Saturday in the Panther Invitational at New Richland, facing host NRHEG at 9 a.m. in the opening round.