The 11th-seeded Softball Tigers nearly won both their opening-round games in the Section 1AAA tournament at Austin’s Todd Park Thursday, falling 1-0 in eight innings to Rosemount before beating Faribault 5-2.

Sunday, May 27, 2001

AUSTIN – It’s happened so many times before.

Albert Lea teams take their lumps during the regular season in the brutal Big Nine, draw a low seed for the section tournament and then surprise their opponents in the playoffs.

That’s what happened for the 2001 Albert Lea High School softball squad.

The 11th-seeded Tigers nearly won both their opening-round games in the Section 1AAA tournament at Austin’s Todd Park Thursday, falling 1-0 in eight innings to Rosemount before beating Faribault 5-2.

&uot;I was extremely pleased with the play of our girls,&uot; said coach Sherrie Gayken. &uot;I really liked the way we came together as a team.&uot;

The win over Faribault kept the Tigers alive in the double-elimination tournament scheduled to continue Saturday, weather permitting.

While Gayken was happy with the Tigers’ overall play, she was especially pleased with the defense in shutting out sixth-seeded Rosemount for seven innings.