The Albert Lea baseball team took on Mankato East Monday night on the road in a Big Nine Conference battle.

Errors plagued the Tigers — and giving up six runs in the first inning doomed them, as they fell to the Cougars 9-1.

Senior Parker Andersen started on the mound for Albert Lea, pitching four innings and allowing eight runs — only three of which were earned — on six hits while walking two and striking out two. Down 8-1 heading into the fifth, sophomore Jack Jellinger came in for relief and pitched the final two innings. Jellinger allowed one run on two hits and walked one.

The Tigers’ lone run came in the third inning, however, they were already in a six-run deficit.

Picking up hits for Albert Lea were junior Koby Hendrickson who had two; Anderson and seniors Ian Ball and Caden Gardner each had one.

Albert Lea had one run on five hits and recorded nine errors. Mankato East scored nine runs on nine hits and committed three errors.

“Parker competed well and really threw the baseball well,” said head coach Sean Gaston. “Obviously, we need to be better defensively. We have to find a way to avoid the bad starts. This is the third time this year where we have given up a big inning in the first. We need to look at everything from warms up, routines, coaching, etc and get this problem fixed. East is a very good team, but we have the capability to beat them as long as we believe and execute.”

The Tigers move to 5-4 on the season and had Tuesday’s game against Mankato West postponed to Monday. They will play again Thursday, hosting the Cougars in a rematch.

 

Game results

Mankato East 9, Albert Lea 1

ME   600   210   X — 9

AL    001   000   0 — 1

Albert Lea pitching: Parker Andersen (2-2; L), 4 IP, 8 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K;

Jack Jellinger 2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 HBP

Albert Lea batting: Koby Hendrickson 2-3; Ian Ball 1-3; Parker Andersen 1-3; Caden Gardner 1-3