The Albert Lea softball team fell Monday to Mankato East in a doubleheader.

The Tigers lost game one 10-1, and they lost game two 15-1.

In both games, the first inning was a killer for Albert Lea.

After the Tigers made the first two outs in the first inning of game one, the Cougars reeled off eight runs. However, the game was not cut short, because Albert Lea pitcher Haley Harms held Mankato East to two runs through the final five innings.

Dominique Villarreal led the Tigers at the plate by going two for two with a double.

Unfortunately for Albert Lea, the Tigers gave up more runs in the first inning of game two than they had in game one.

“We had a couple of innings that got out of hand,” Albert Lea head coach Dan Harms said. “After that, it was pretty good softball.”

Albert Lea’s run was scored by Taylor Thompson scored on a hit by Lynzee Underdahl in the first inning.

The Tigers haven’t let the loss hamper their expectations for their next game at Owatonna at 5:30 p.m. today.

“It’s a conference game that we are very capable of winning,” Harms said. “If we can play to our ability, we can beat them. The girls just need to believe it.”