AUSTIN &045; The Austin Greyhounds may not be the same squad as last year, but they’re still the defending Class B state amateur baseball champions.

And the Albert Lea Colonels came close to knocking them off.

The Colonels, still young but looking to take another step up this year, stranded 11 baserunners while falling 3-1 to the Greyhounds in a Southern Minny League game at Austin’s Marcusen Park Wednesday night.

&uot;It’s one of those games where a couple plays made the difference,&uot; said Colonels manager Bill Trygstad. &uot;They had three extra-base hits, we had one. They got the hits when they needed them.

&uot;We’re very close, playing Austin in that kind of game.&uot;

The game was close in every aspect.

Austin took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a one-out single, a fielder’s choice and a double to center field.

The Greyhounds scored twice in the sixth on a leadoff triple, a sacrifice fly, a throwing error and a double.

Aric Attig scored the Colonels’ run in the seventh, reaching on an error and coming home when Brad Carlson hit into a fielder’s choice.

Justin Kohn was 2-for-4 for two of Albert Lea’s hits. Brad Carlson and Matt Trygstad were 1-for-3.

Isaac Walton took the pitching loss, giving up two earned runs in six innings. He allowed five hits and three walks, with seven strikeouts. Jeff Schulz pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Clint Ripley went the distance on the mound for Austin, walking six while striking out 14.

The Colonels, 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the league, host Minnesota Lake at 7:30 tonight. They play at Faribault Saturday.

Austin 3, Albert Lea 1

AL

000

000

100 &045; 1

4

2

AU

100

002

00x &045; 3

7

1

WP &045; Clint Ripley

LP &045; Isaac Walton