The Albert Lea Tigers are hitting their stride at the right time. After losing 1-0 to Owatonna on Tuesday, the Tigers traveled to take on the Mankato East Cougars in a doubleheader Thursday.

It didn’t take long for the Tigers to get back on track as they took two games from the Cougars 4-3 and 4-0.

“Our defense was very good, again, and our pitching was strong,” said Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski. “We made some exceptional plays in the field, and both of our pitchers really battled on the mound.”

In the two games, the Tigers committed just one error.

Game 1 — Tigers 4, Cougars 3

In the first game, the Tigers used a three-run second inning to help pull away from the Cougars. Blake Simon went the distance in the game, allowing seven hits and striking out five while allowing one earned run.

In the second inning, the Tigers got a single from Alex Bledsoe to start the inning. Sam Moyer walked, then Jake Kilby laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Tanner Bellrichard provided some timely hitting with an RBI single, then Moyer scored on a double-play.

The final run of the inning came from Mason Hammer on an RBI single.

Defensively, Bellrichard made a great play in the third inning. He threw out a runner at the plate on a single to left field.

 

Game 2 — Tigers 4, Cougars 0

Taylor Heavner was an animal in the second half of the doubleheader. Like Simon, Heavner went the distance and allowed five hits.

“Again, we made a lot of good defensive plays,” Sczublewski said.

The offense wasn’t flashy, but it was plenty to get the job done. Again, the second inning was the Tigers’ inning.

They scored all four of their runs in the inning, and then held the Cougars’ offense punch-less. Ben Witham singled to start the inning, and Moyer followed a single of his own. Heavner walked, then Kilby was hit by a pitch to put the Tigers up 1-0. Hammer clubbed a two-run single to extend the lead to 3-0.

“We were able to get clutch and timely hitting, but our defense has been our constant all season,” Sczublewski said. “Defense has been our calling-card, and we got it done again.”

The Tigers have now won six of their past seven games, and are fighting to host a playoff game. They are 9-7, and have three games left in the regular season.

The Tigers will make a long trip to Winona Tuesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.