Through four innings the Albert Lea Colonels played well, but that came to a close quickly after the Austin Blue Sox rallied to take control in the final three innings for an 11-1, eight-inning victory Wednesday in Austin.

The Colonels (0-1) held a 1-0 lead after Ryan Wangen drove in Logan Kortan in the third inning, but Austin put up a five-run inning in the fifth and sixth to take control.

Albert Lea went hitless after the fifth and struck out 11 times in its first game of the season.

Zac Oquist went 2-for-3 while Kortan, Wangen and Jared Matson had hits for the Colonels.

Brandon Klukow gave up three hits in four innings and allowed four runs, three earned.

Albert Lea committed six errors, which led to eight unearned runs.

The Colonels play Saturday at Hayek Field at 5 p.m.

Austin 11, Albert Lea 1, 8 innings

Albert Lea 001 000 00x — 1 6 6

Austin 000 055 1x — 11 9 0

WP—Weston Hanson 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K

LP—Brandon Klukow 4 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K