ROCHESTER &045; After Thursday’s 6-3 loss to Mankato East, Albert Lea High School softball coach Rick Harves said he was looking for more offense from his team.

He was still looking Friday night.

The Tigers got strong pitching from Nicole Rafdal and played solid defense but had only five hits and lost 4-2 in a Big Nine Conference game at Rochester Mayo.

It was yet another frustrating setback for the Tigers, who saw their record slip to 1-11.

&uot;I explained to the girls, they’re so close, they’re right on the edge,&uot; said Harves. &uot;Nicole pitched a fine game, well enough to win. We had only two little errors, that’s pretty good. We just aren’t getting enough offense going here.&uot;

Rafdal, the Tigers’ mainstay on the mound all spring, pitched another complete game, scattering seven hits. She didn’t walk anyone. Three of the Spartans’ runs were earned.

Mayo scored twice in the third inning and it remained 2-0 until the sixth, when the Tigers tied it on hits by Abby Devries, Ashley Chrz and Danielle Jacobs and a fielder’s choice by Laura Olson.

The Spartans answered with two in the bottom of the sixth.

Chrz was 2-for-3 for the game. Rafdal had the Tigers’ other hit.

The Tigers return to action Monday, when they face Mankato West in a 4:30 doubleheader at Hammer Field. Owatonna comes to town for a rescheduled game Tuesday, and the Tigers host NRHEG Thursday.

Albert Lea

000

002

0 &045; 2

5

2

Roch. Mayo

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002

x &045; 4

7

0

LP &045; Nicole Rafdal