If the Albert Lea softball team had a theme song for this season it would be stuck on repeat.

The Tigers lost their sixth one-run ballgame Tuesday in a 3-2 game against Mayo where Albert Lea held an early lead.

“That’s the way we’ve been playing all year,” said Tigers head coach Dan Harms.

Albert Lea (1-12-1, 0-10-1) tallied just two hits off Spartans backup pitcher Kelli Anderson and squandered a 2-0 lead after the third inning.

Mayo tied the game in the fourth when Emma Leof doubled home Anderson, who led off the inning with a walk. Melissa Conger, running for Leof, scored the tying run when the Tigers tried to throw her out at home with two outs. The throw sailed over the head of Albert Lea catcher Courtney Schnaith and the tying run scored.

Mayo came back in the fifth to take the lead when No. 9 hitter Kaitlyn Trangsrud singled with one out. Lindsey Hoosier followed with a single and both runners advanced after the ball got past the Tigers in the outfield. Trangsrud eventually scored on a sacrifice bunt to take the lead.

“We didn’t take advantage of seeing their backup,” Harms said.

Albert Lea had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh when Sarah Heijerman reached on an error and Caylee Tennis was hit by a pitch with one out. But Anderson got the Tigers to hit into two ground ball outs to end the game.

Albert Lea had just two hits against Anderson and struck out six times. Lauren Klick drove in the only run of the game and went 1-for-3 and Bethan Sekora had the other hit and went 1-for-3.

“We just struggled to put the ball in play,” Harms said.

Lana Howe took the loss for the Tigers despite allowing just three hits. Howe walked two and struck out three in seven innings of work.

Albert Lea faces Mankato West Thursday in Mankato.

Mayo 3, Albert Lea 2

Mayo 000 210 0 — 3 3 1

Albert Lea 002 000 0 — 2 2 3

WP—Kelli Anderson 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

LP—Lana Howe 7 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K