ROCHESTER – The key with pulling off an upset against a team like the Rochester Royals is to keep it close as long as possible and, hopefully, win it in the late innings.

Tuesday, July 03, 2001

ROCHESTER – The key with pulling off an upset against a team like the Rochester Royals is to keep it close as long as possible and, hopefully, win it in the late innings.

That wasn’t an option for the Albert Lea Colonels.

The Colonels surrendered seven first-inning runs and, despite playing one of their better games of the year, lost 14-3 in a Southern Minny League baseball game at Rochester Sunday night.

The Royals, who finished second in the Class B state tournament the last two years, improved to 18-2.

&uot;They’re pretty tough,&uot; said Colonels manager Bill Trygstad, whose team fell to 0-10. &uot;We didn’t play that bad, considering who we were playing.&uot;

Tim Davis, Phil Wacholz and Brandon Tukua had two hits apiece for the Colonels. Adding one hit each were Craig Smith, Matt Trygstad, Ryan Wangen, Zac Oquist and Adam Hanson.

Mike Piechowski pitched the first four innings, taking the loss. He gave up 10 earned runs on 13 hits, with three walks and one strikeout. Smith allowed one run on one hit through the final two innings.

The Colonels, according to Bill Trygstad, made progress in a couple important areas. They tightened their defense and had a season-high eight players with hits.

&uot;I think we’re getting better,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;Some of these guys, this is their first year of amateur ball, and this is a tough league. We’re taking our lumps now, but hopefully by the end of the year we’ll give some people a run for their money. Maybe before that.&uot;

The Colonels continue their long string of road games Friday at 7:30 at Northfield. They play Saturday at 7 p.m. at Waseca and Sunday at 4 p.m. at New Richland.

Royals 14, Colonels 3

&160;Albert Lea

&160;012

&160;000

&160;0

-3

11

&160;1

&160;Rochester

&160;705

110

&160;x

-14

14

&160;1

LP – Mike Piechowski