Tigers falter in home opener
Published 8:47 pm Monday, April 30, 2018
The Albert Lea baseball team hosted Red Wing on Monday night hoping to grab its first win of the season in its home opener.
However, it wouldn’t be the Tigers’ night, as the team was plagued by errors late in the game, losing to the Wingers, 10-0.
Starting on the mound for the Tigers was junior Brock Hammer. After giving up a walk to start the game, Hammer and the rest of the Tiger defense made quick work of the Wingers and took their own turn at the plate.
Senior Alex Goodmanson was able to reach from the lead-off position after a single to start the game. Senior Zach Edwards was also able to reach a base after a single. However, the Tigers were unable to move them around the bags to score.
Red Wing took the lead in the top half of the second inning. After loading up the bases, Red Wing hit into a double play that would score one run on a fielder’s choice.
The Tigers struggled from the plate over the next few innings, going three-up and three-down. The Wingers took advantage of the lack of offense by adding three more runs in the third inning and three more in the fifth.
Senior Andy Thomas and junior Carson Goodell reached base in the fifth inning, but three strikeouts would send the Tigers back into the field empty handed.
Hammer was relieved in the fifth inning by Goodmanson. Hammer recorded five strikeouts while giving up six runs.
Goodmanson would pitch for 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run. Goodmanson was relieved by junior Ian Ball in the top of the sixth.
The Wingers tacked on three more runs throughout the sixth, giving them a 10-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the inning.
The Tigers would threaten to put a run on the board with junior Carter Simon and Edwards reaching, but were again unable to score.
The Tigers fall to 0-4 on the season and will play again Tuesday night, as they host Rochester Mayo in a double header.