There were plenty of chances to win for the Albert Lea Colonels.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

There were plenty of chances to win for the Albert Lea Colonels.

But they gave their opponents one too many.

The Colonels failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities and allowed an unearned run in the ninth inning while falling 3-2 to Faribault in a Southern Minny League baseball game at Hayek Field Sunday night.

&uot;We had our chances,&uot; said Colonels manager Bill Trygstad.

They just didn’t have enough hits. Two Lakers pitchers combined on a five-hitter, striking out 12 while walking one.

&uot;We need to start hitting the ball,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;Five hits won’t do it. Our pitchers did well. Our infielders did fairly well. We just didn’t hit the ball.&uot;

Craig Smith and Adam Hamberg held the Lakers to five hits. Smith pitched the first eight innings, allowing two runs on three hits, with six strikeouts and five walks. Hamberg took the loss, giving up an unearned run in the ninth.

The winning run reached on an infield single, taking second on a sacrifice and third on a fielder’s choice. Hamberg struck out the next batter but the ball got by the catcher; the runner slid under the tag at the plate.

The Lakers’ other two runs came on a two-out bloop single in the second.

The Colonels scored once in the sixth and eighth, stranding baserunners both times.

Brett Damerow and Tim Davis were both 2-for-4. Brad Carlson had the other hit. Ryan Wangen drove in a pair of runs on ground outs.

The Colonels, 0-5, host a tough Mankato team Wednesday at 7:30 at Hayek Field. The June 13 game with Waseca that was rained out is rescheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. The Austin rainout is rescheduled for Monday at 7:30 at Austin.

Faribault 020 000 001 – 3 5 3

Albert Lea 000 001 010 – 2 5 2

LP – Adam Hamberg