The Albert Lea Colonels defeated New Richland Friday night 12-8 at New Richland.

The Colonels (6-7) used a nine-run third inning to overpower the Reds.

The hits came in bunches in the third as Albert Lea tallied seven hits.

“We had a great third inning,” Colonels first baseman Ryan Wangen said. “We’re not leaving guys on base.”

Albert Lea had trouble earlier in the season plating runners as it stranded 15 in an earlier game.

Four Colonel players had multi-hit games and drove in multiple runs.

Brandon Klukow continued his strong pitching by scattering nine hits and allowing six runs over six innings of work.

“He’s been our mainstay on the pitching staff, hopefully he can keep it up.”

It made up for a 13-9 loss to Owatonna that Albert Lea suffered earlier in the week.

Albert Lea 12, New Richland 8

Albert Lea – 009 002 010 – 12 11 2

New Richland – 100 113 002 – 8 12 0

WP – Brandon Klukow 6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K