The Albert Lea Colonels regular season schedule is winding down, and manager Bill Trygstad is hopeful his club can break out of a team batting slump that has plagued them in recent games.

“We have some talented players,” said Trygstad, whose team dropped to 3-15 after suffering

three consecutive losses recentlly.

“It’s just a matter of putting too much pressure on ourselves at the plate,” said Trygstad.

” We need to relax and play ourselves out of this hitting slump.”

The Colonels dropped a 3-0 decision to Faribault Wednesday as Albert Lea was held to five hits for the game. Derek Anderson started on the hill for Albert Lea, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, Anderson struck out two batters while walking three. Jay Link and Derek Goodnature saw action in relief. Matt Trygstad paced the Colonels offensively with two hits.

On Thursday Minnesota Lake defeated Albert Lea 4-1. Mitch Meier gave up three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings before Craig Smith came on in relief. Smith pitched well for the balance of the game, striking out four.

Isaac Walton, Ryan Wangen, Goodnature and Trygstad led the Colonels offensive attack, but only mustured one run in the shortened 7 inning game.

New Richland provided the competition on Friday for Albert Lea. The Reds entered the game with an impressive 13-5 overall mark. Jason Churchill got the start for New Richland and pitched well, limiting the Colonels to five hits on their way to a 7-1 win over Albert Lea. Jay Link started the game for the Colonels, but was relieved after only two innings of work due to soreness in his arm. Justin Kohn, Smith, and Goodnature came on in relief for Albert Lea, as New Richland’s potent team offensive attack rattled out

ten hits against Albert Lea pitching.

The Colonels close out their regular season schedule in Austin on Wednesday night.