FARIBAULT &045; According to coach Rick Harves, it was obvious the Albert Lea High School softball team had spent too much time practicing indoors.

It took the Tigers seven innings to adjust.

After falling 9-5 in game one, the Tigers defeated Faribault 3-1 to salvage a split in a Big Nine doubleheader at Faribault Thursday.

&uot;We were indoors way too long,&uot; said Harves in assessing the first game. &uot;We made lots of mistakes, things we don’t normally do.&uot;

The Tigers outhit Faribault 10-7 but had six errors to the Falcons’ two.

Jerri Mondeel had two hits, including a run-scoring triple, and Amber Edwards was 2-for-4. Ashley Chrz had a three-run triple. Also hitting safely were Jenny Hovendick, Leah Boyer, Vanessa Storlie and Nicole Rafdal.

Rafdal, who pitched all seven innings in the opener, returned to the mound for game two and gave up only one hit, an inside-the-park home run in the third inning.

Rafdal faced 29 batters, walking two and striking out one.

&uot;She kept the ball low and threw a lot of strikes,&uot; said Harves. &uot;Obv-iously, we played pretty good defense.&uot;

Chrz was 2-for-4 with a double to lead the Tigers’ seven-hit attack. Rafdal and Ashley Helgerson each had a hit and drove in a run. Boyer, Edwards and Jess Hanson added one hit apiece.

&uot;In both games, we hit the ball much better (than the season opener),&uot; said Harves. &uot;We were taking good cuts and making good contact.&uot;

The Tigers’ Saturday game with Rochester Mayo was postponed. They host Mankato East Monday.

Faribault 9, Albert Lea 5

F: 303

400

1 &045; 9

7

2

AL: 103

001

0 &045; 5 10

6

LP &045; Nicole Rafdal

Albert Lea 3, Faribault 1

F: 001

000

0 &045; 1

1

1

AL: 200

100

x _ 3

7

3

WP &045; Nicole Rafdal