The Albert Lea Colonels were due for a one-run victory and they got it, defeating Faribault 4-3 in a Southern Minny League baseball game at Hayek Field Monday night.

“I’m happy for the guys,” said manager Bill Trygstad. “They’ve lost so many one-run games. It’s nice to win one.”

The Colonels won despite being outhit 8-4 and committing seven errors to the Lakers’ two.

“Our pitchers did a pretty good job getting strikeouts with guys on base, and we turned a couple double plays,” said Trygstad. “Their errors hurt worse than ours.”

The Colonels took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when David Dahl reached on a two-out error and scored on a double to the fence by Jeff Schulz.

Trailing 2-1, Albert Lea tied it in the fourth, loading the bases as Ryan Wangen walked, Justin Kohn singled and Aric Attig was hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, Mick Westeng hit a grounder to second that the Lakers unsuccessfully tried to turn into a double play, allowing Wangen to score.

The winning runs scored in the sixth, when Attig walked and Phil Wacholz singled. Attig scored when pinch-runner Isaac Walton stole second and the throw went into the outfield. Walton then scored on a wild pitch.

James Gonzalez had the only other Albert Lea hit, a pinch-hit single in the eighth.

Brad Carlson got the pitching win in relief, going 3 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one. Craig Smith started and went 5 1/3 innings; he struck out six and walked two.

The win came on the heels of a tough 12-11 loss at Owatonna Saturday.

Kohn, Attig and Westeng all had three hits apiece while Carlson, Schulz and Matt Trygstad got two each. The Colonels outhit the aces 17-8.

“We had enough hits,” said Bill Trygstad. “Errors and walks hurt. It was a frustrating one to lose.”

Mike Piechowski took the loss. Adam Berge started on the mound and pitched into the seventh. Derek Anderson and Schulz also threw in relief.

The Colonels, 4-9 in the league and 6-16 overall, travel to league champion Rochester Wednesday for the final game of the regular season. If they pull an upset, they’ll host Faribault Friday in a one-game playoff to advance to the double-elimination league tournament.