Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1969

• The Albert Lea boys’ track and field team won a triangular at Hammer Field when it defeated Anoka and Coon Rapids. Senior Chuck Sherman recorded a school record in the discus with a throw of 161 feet, breaking Brad Rinsem’s mark of 153 set in 1966.

• Reggie Jackson was ejected in the Oakland A’s 6-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins after he rushed the mound and tackled Twins relief pitcher Dick Woodson after the righty sailed two fastballs up and in on the A’s slugger. Jackson had hit two home runs earlier in the game.

• Paul Lair picked up his third victory and stretched his scoreless streak to 15 innings when Emmons defeated Alden 9-0 in Border League baseball action.

• Lea College was to debut in men’s golf as it was set to travel to Dennison, Iowa, to play Northwest Missouri State and Midwestern College in a triangular. Bill Caris was the coach for the Lancers.

 

25 years ago: 1994

• The Albert Lea boys’ golf team defeated Rochester John Marshall and Faribault in a triangular in Faribault. Andy Petersen was the medalist for the day with a 77.

• Donna Bloom shot an 85 to lead the Albert Lea girls’ golf team to a 388-414 win over Austin at Austin Country Club. The junior varsity also knocked off the Packers 249-279 in nine holes of play. Shelly Severson and Ann Johnson each shot a 61 to lead the Tigers.

• After going 9-24 in his previous 40 starts, Minnesota Twins right-hander Scott Erickson threw a no-hitter in the Twins’ 6-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at the Metrodome. Kirby Puckett had four hits for the Twins. The no-hitter was the first thrown at the Metrodome and the first for the Twins since Dean Chance threw one in August 1967.

 

10 years ago: 2009

• Alden-Conger’s Nikki Schultz hit for the cycle and drove in six runs in the Knights 14-4 win over St. Clair in Valley Conference softball action.

• The Albert Lea baseball team swept Mankato West 1-0 and 8-1 to hand the Scarlets their first two defeats of the year. Colby Strilaeff picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers in game one with Jordan Cooper getting the win in game two.

• The Albert Lea girls’ track and field team placed second in a three-team meet at Hammer Field. Chrissy Monson, Serah Ogunkanbi, Sarah Wenum, Galen Schultz and Alissa Allison picked up individual wins for the Tigers with the 4×400 relay team of Wenum, Allison, Colleen Thompson and Alex Ciota also picking up a first.

 

This year

• It will be a fun time for Albert Lea Lakers fans at their home opener May 31, as they welcome their 2018 Pioneer League champion coach Michael Keeran to town — now as the head coach of the rival Bancroft Bandits. Keeran has spent this spring as an assistant coach for the Valley City State Vikings in Valley City, North Dakota. He will be assisted this summer in Bancroft by former Laker Joey Ponder.