A strong performance at the plate wasn’t enough to offset 12 walks given up by the Albert Lea baseball team.

The Tigers (1-3, 1-3 Big Nine) rallied from a 5-0 second-inning deficit but lost 10-7 Thursday at Owatonna.

“We had a little problem with walks,” said Albert Lea coach Joe Sczublewski. “We gave up too many free passes and had a couple of inopportune errors.”

Despite the loss, Albert Lea out-hit Owatonna 9-7 and scored more runs than its previous three games combined.

“On the plus side, our hitting was the best it’s been all season,” Sczublewski said. “We spent an entire practice on hitting and it really came to life today.”

Mason Hammer and Tanner Bellrichard had two hits each to lead the Tigers. Hammer was 2-for-4, and Bellrichard was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Jake Thompson, Parker Mullenbach, Jake Kilby, Chris Enderson and Alex Bledsoe had one hit each.

Albert Lea used three pitchers: Kilby, Taylor Heavner and Sam Moyer. Kilby took the loss after 3 1/3 innings.

Owatonna improved to 3-1 with the win. The Huskies’ only loss was 10-5 against Northfield in eight innings.

Next, Albert Lea will start a doubleheader at noon Saturday at Northfield (4-1, 4-1 Big Nine).