The Albert Lea Colonels needed a hit Sunday night against the Austin A’s in Austin.

They didn’t get it.

The Colonels (2-5) left 15 runners on base in a 7-4 loss to Austin. Albert Lea had the bases loaded three times late in the ball game.

Albert Lea tied the game in the top of the sixth inning when they score one run, but should have come away with more as they had the bases loaded with no outs but only drove one run in on a sacrifice fly by Michael Griebrok.

“We did not get a key hit,” Colonels manager Bill Trygstad said.

The A’s came back in the bottom half of the sixth to score two runs and take a 6-4 lead that they wouldn’t give up.

Albert Lea loaded the bases again in the seventh and ninth and came away empty handed as they only had five hits in the game.

The Colonels drew 13 walks in the game and had plenty of opportunities to score.

Griebrok started for Albert Lea on the mound and pitched four innings, giving up four runs on six hits and struck out two.

Austin 7, Albert Lea 4

Albert Lea – 000 121 000 – 4 5 2

Austin – 100 212 01x – 7 10 3

LP – Mitch Wenum 4 IP, 3 R, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 K