Albert Lea Lakers hold off the Peak of Ames

 

Fresh off securing the Pioneer League regular season title Wednesday night, the Albert Lea Lakers hosted the Peak of Ames Friday night looking to continue their hot streak as the postseason draws near.

The team that has become known as the “Lakeshow” based on their immense talent and exciting gameplay, the Lakers lived up to their reputation, beating the Peak 5-4.

Ames took a quick lead in the first inning, when the second batter of the game blasted a ball over the outfield fence. However, Albert Lea responded by taking a lead for itself, scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and no runners on base, Josh Dudden got things started with a single, followed by a double from Keanu Van Kuren that scored Dudden. An error put Derek Burns on base and a walk added Mitch Barrow on the bases. Mitchell Keeran then batted them both in on a fly ball to shallow center field that dropped between two outfielders.

The Peak would threaten to score in the third inning, getting two runners on base with two outs. The threat was neutralized, however, when Van Kuren made a leaping catch that saved what would have been multiple Ames runs.

Van Kuren wasn’t done showing off for the home crowd just yet. He proceeded to lead off the bottom of the inning at the plate, where he crushed a solo home run over the left field fence to give the Lakers a 4-1 lead.

Albert Lea added another run to the lead in the fourth when Dudden hit an RBI double that brought in Jack McCarthy from second. Ames cut into the lead with two runs in the fifth inning with another home run and an RBI single.

The Peak would make it a one-run game in the seventh inning, when a sacrifice fly brought in a run to make the score 5-4 heading into the bottom half of the seventh.

However, the Peak’s comeback attempt would end there, as they failed to gain any momentum through the final two innings of the game.

Joey Ponder started on the mound for the Lakers. Ponder pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out three batters. Jesse Bloom came in for relief in the fifth. He pitched for 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out two batters.

Michael Beaudoin came in as closer to start the eighth inning. Beaudoin pitched two innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out one.

Albert Lea scored five runs on 10 hits and recorded zero errors. Ames scored four runs on nine hits and recorded one error.

The Lakers climb to 24-4 on the season and will be back in action at home at 5 p.m. Monday when they host Bancroft in a doubleheader.