JM downs Tigers twice

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 16, 2007

ROCHESTER &8212; After several postponements because of the weather, the Albert Lea baseball team drew a tough season opener against defending Big Nine Conference champion Rochester John Marshall Saturday.

The Tigers would drop both games of a doubleheader 5-0 and 10-0.

The Rockets would score all five runs in the first three innings of game one which were aided by a couple of Albert Lea errors in the field.

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Adam Royce pitched three innings of scoreless relief in a strong opening statement by the junior who struck out three.

The offense managed five hits getting two apiece from Taylor Ignaszewski and Casey Woodside, but three double plays derailed some scoring opportunities.

Royce would pick up where he left off giving up just one earned run in four innings before tiring and coming out of game two.

The Tigers trailed by just one at 2-1 heading into the fifth, but an eight-run fifth frame by the Rockets sealed the win as they pounded out 11 hits in the game.

Albert Lea got single hits from five players in the game including a double by Jared Matson.

&8220;JM is a good team and they took advantage of the opportunities,&8221; Tiger head coach Joe Sczublewski said.

The Tigers are back in action Tuesday when they host Austin at 5 p.m.