The Albert Lea Colonels had enough hits to win the ballgame.

They just didn’t happen at the right time.

The Colonels came up empty several times with men in scoring position, stranding 14 baserunners in a frustrating 10-8 loss to the Owatonna Aces at Hayek Field Sunday night.

“We didn’t get the hits when we needed them,” said Colonels manager Bill Trygstad. “We outhit Owatonna 10-8 and we got 12 walks, but didn’t get any key hits. This is a game the guys just need to forget about.”

The loss dropped the Colonels to 2-3 in the Southern Minny League and 3-6 overall. The Aces improved to 3-8.

While Albert Lea outhit Owatonna 10-8, the Colonels had five errors to the Aces’ two. Four of Owatonna’s runs were unearned.

“It was not a well played game by either side,” said Trygstad. “We left the bases loaded twice and left two guys on at least two times.”

Isaac Walton reached base four times for the Colonels, going 2-for-4 with two walks. He also drove in a run. Phil Wacholz and James Gonzalez were both 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Brett Damerow doubled and walked. Matt Trygstad singled, walked twice and drove in a run. Ryan Wangen singled, walked and had an RBI. Aric Attig walked twice.

Two Owatonna pitchers combined for 12 walks and seven strikeouts.

Adam Berge started on the mound for the Colonels and took the loss. He gave up all 10 runs &045; six earned &045; in 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and six walks while striking out seven. Justin Kohn finished the game on the mound. He did not allow a run, giving up two hits. He walked two and struck out two.

“This is a game we could have won,” said Bill Trygstad. “We’ve played better than this, the guys know it. They just need to forget about it and move on and look forward to playing them again at Owatonna; hopefully that will be a different situation.”

The Colonels’ Friday night game against Northfield was rained out. It’s not known if it will be rescheduled.

First-year Colonel Isaac Walton is expected to put his 2-0 record on the line Wednesday in a big Southern Minny League game against the Rochester Royals at Hayek Field. The first pitch is set for 7:30. New Richland comes to town Friday night for a non-league contest.

Aces 10, Colonels 8

Owatonna

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Albert Lea

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LP – Adam Berge