After struggling through the first 10 games of the season the Albert Lea Colonels have started to turn the corner in their last two games.

The Colonels (2-10) put together arguably their most complete game of the season Tuesday at Hayek Field against Faribault in an 8-2 win to pick up their second consecutive victory after starting the season 0-10.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Albert Lea manager Bill Trygstad. “The guys had a lot of pop in their step tonight, which is good. They had fun playing tonight.”

The Colonels picked up their first win of the season Sunday with a 5-4 decision over New Ulm at Hayek Field. Brandon Klukow turned in a complete-game victory and Michael Greibrok followed that with a complete game of his own Tuesday against Faribault.

“I didn’t blow away anybody, but they hit at guys and the guys made the plays behind me,” Greibrok said. “It’s nice finally getting it together.”

Greibrok allowed two unearned runs on six hits and struck out six in his first victory of the season.

Trygstad pointed to the pitching as the reason behind the recent turnaround.

“The key is the pitching has been great the last two games,” he said. “You got two starters that go complete games. They were both in control most of the game.”

The Colonels finally got some timely hitting as well. Nick Hagen had an RBI single in the first inning to score Devin Kaasa. In the third inning, Jared Gavle hit a bases-loaded double that put Albert Lea up 5-1. Gavle finished 2-for-4 on the night with three RBIs.

“We’re starting to put the ball in play anyways and getting runs,” Greibrok said. “We’ve gotten more runs the last two games than the rest of the season it seems like.”

The wins have been a morale boost in the dugout as well. Albert Lea showed more enthusiasm than it had in previous games which has translated into better play on the field.

Greibrok creatively worked out of the few jams he did run into as he picked off three base runners on the evening, including two at second base.

The Colonel offense tallied nine hits in the game and the defense didn’t give up as many costly errors as it had in previous games.

The Colonels face the Rochester Blues Wednesday at Hayek Field.

Albert Lea 8, Faribault 2

Faribault 010 000 010 — 2 6 4

Albert Lea 104 100 11x — 8 9 4

WP — Michael Greibrok 9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

LP — Jimmy Roberts 9 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 11 K