The New Richland Reds were short on players.

But with Ryan Barnick on the mound, it was almost enough.

Barnick, coming off a complete-game playoff outing on Saturday, again went the distance but his defense committed six errors as Albert Lea claimed a 4-2 amateur baseball victory at Hayek Field Tuesday night.

While happy with the win, which improved the Colonels’ record to 8-10, manager Bill Trygstad said they’ll need to play much better in the upcoming Southern Minny League playoffs.

&uot;It’s nice getting another win,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;Eight wins is the most we’ve had in probably five years or so. We didn’t hit the ball like we have been, and we struck out 13 times, which is way too many, but we had enough hits to win. The guys are still showing up and giving 100 percent when called upon to play, and that’s good to see.&uot;

Two of the Colonels’ runs were earned off Barnick, who had six walks to go along with his 13 strikeouts. Albert Lea had six hits.

Adam Berge got the win, going six innings while giving up two earned runs on four hits. He struck out six and walked three. Derek Goodnature did not allow a hit in three innings of relief, striking out five and walking two.

The Colonels took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Zac Oquist.

The Reds’ runs came in the fifth, when Barnick singled and Brett Shultz walked. Both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by manager Gary Churchill &045; forced into action as the Reds’ ninth player &045; and both scored on wild pitches.

In the fifth, Nate Loberg singled and scored on an error to tie it.

A single by Loberg that got by a Reds outfielder led to two more runs in the sixth.

Loberg was 2-for-4. James Gonzalez, Kyle Schrad, Matt Trygstad and Brett Damerow each had one hit.

Jason Churchill, Shane Thorson, Barnick and Shultz had New Richland’s hits.

The Colonels host the Austin Greyhounds Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in their final regular-season league game. Tonight’s game at Northfield was postponed.

Colonels 4, Reds 2

NR

000

020

000 – 2

4

6

AL

100

012

00x – 4

6

0

WP – Adam Berge

(Contact Jim Lutgens at sports @albertleatribune.com or 379-3437.)