OWATONNA &045; The pitching was tough and so was the defense for the Albert Lea High School softball team.

The hitting was improved. Just not quite enough.

The Tigers kept it close in a Big Nine game at Owatonna Tuesday, falling 3-1.

&uot;We hit the ball a lot better tonight,&uot; said coach Rick Harves. &uot;We hit several balls to the outfield. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing in and we didn’t burn them, but we hit the ball better.&uot;

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Katie Brackey hit a leadoff single, Jerri Mondeel was safe on a bunt single, and Nicole Rafdal knocked in Brackey with a base hit.

The only other Albert Lea hits went to Geri Neumann, who was 2-for-3. Neumann also threw out a baserunner attempting to steal second.

Brackey made several nice defensive plays at shortstop, according to Harves.

Rafdal struck out three and did not issue a walk while pitching all six innings. Two of Owatonna’s runs were earned.

The loss dropped the Tigers’ record to 2-10 overall. They face Winona in a Big Nine doubleheader at 4 and 6 p.m. Thursday at Hammer Field.

Owatonna 3, Albert Lea 1

AL

000

100

0 &045; 1

5

2

OW

000

102

x &045; 3

9

0

LP &045; Nicole Rafdal