The Albert Lea softball team put together a better effort in its regular season finale against Mankato East Friday but still came up short.

The Tigers lost the game 14-1 to the hard-hitting Cougars, but head coach Chad Feikema saw positives to build off of after a disappointing showing against Faribault earlier in the week.

&8220;We played with much better effort and our focus was there,&8221; he said.

Mankato East did not strike with one big inning, but it was able to consistently hit and score runs in each of the seven frames.

The Cougars finished the game with 21 hits and committed just one error while the Tigers had one hit and two errors.

Kat Ladwig had the Tigers’ lone hit as she smacked a single in the fourth inning. A two out walk by Marissa Cottrell followed and Ladwig would score from second when Liz Thompson forced a throwing error to first on a ball she hit in the infield.

Dezeray Jacobs pitched all seven innings for the Tigers walking two and striking out one, but Mankato East showed why it is one of the best teams in the Big Nine Conference.

&8220;They just hit the ball hard and put the ball in play,&8221; said Feikema. &8220;But we did respond better to their hits executing some nice relays and cutoffs.&8221;

The defensive effort was improved for the Tigers who have relied on it all season.

Albert Lea is back in action Wednesday when they begin section play in Lakeville. The Tigers will play at Arnson Park against an opponent to be determined.