There was no lack of effort on the part of the Albert Lea Colonels in their 2002 season opener.

In fact, there might have been a little too much at times.

Manager Bill Trygstad felt some of his young players might have been pressing a bit as the Colonels lost 12-5 to Blue Earth at Hayek Field.

&uot;It was a learning experience,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;Some of the guys tried way too hard tonight.&uot;

The Colonels had a rough start, with walks and errors contributing to 11 Blue Earth runs in the first three innings. Four of them were unearned.

&uot;We just didn’t play well as a team the first three innings,&uot; said Trygstad.

Derek Anderson started on the mound and pitched into the second inning, taking the loss. Brian Hill, Mike Piechowski and Brad Eckberg pitched in relief. Piechowski was the most effective, not allowing a hit in five innings; he walked one and struck out four.

&uot;Mike pitched outstanding,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;I didn’t think he could go that many innings or he might have started.&uot;

Ryan Wangen led the Colonels offensively, going 2-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and a run scored. Brandon Tukua also doubled. Brett Damerow and Justin Kohn drove in runs with hits. Matt Trygstad, Adam Berge, Jeff Schulz and David Dahl also had hits.

&uot;I think, overall, we hit the ball better than Blue Earth,&uot; said Bill Trygstad. &uot;Theirs hit the openings and ours didn’t. Defensively, I don’t think this is an indication of how we’ll play the rest of the year.&uot;

Blue Earth 12, Colonels 5

Blue Earth

146

000

001 &045; 12

9

3

Albert Lea

102

000

020 &045;

5

9

5

LP &045; Derek Anderson