Sports Memories by Tom Jones

 

50 years ago: 1969

• Lynn Hebel, pitching in only his second American Legion game, scattered five hits to lead Albert Lea to a 6-2 win over Mankato in Southern Minnesota Legion League play at Hayek Field.

• Harmon Killebrew, Tonly Oliva and John Roseboro were named as reserves to the American League All-Star team, joining teammate Rod Carew as representatives from the Minnesota Twins in the game that was played at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington, D.C.

• Name of the Game scored six runs in the top of the first en route to a 10-5 win over Freeborn in softball action. Roger “Buck” Jackson went 3-for-3 at the plate and Terry Jensen picked up the win on the mound.

 

25 years ago: 1994

• Darin Palmer pitched a no-hitter for Albert Lea, striking out seven in an 8-0 victory over Red Wing in VFW baseball action.

• The Albert Lea Elks 13-year-old traveling baseball team was defeated by Northfield, 13-1. Brandon Bachtle and Scott Tuchtenhagen had the lone hits for Albert Lea.

• Playing with only nine players, the Albert Lea Colonels were defeated 18-0 by Rochester. Player-manager Jim Johnson collected Albert Lea’s only hit. With the loss, the Colonels stood at 10-3 in Southern Minny League play.

 

10 years ago: 2009

• Dean Hanson and Heather Obermeyer won first place in group one at the third annual Land Between the Lakes doubles tennis tournament in Albert Lea.

• The Albert Lea U-12 baseball team qualified for the state tournament in Owatonna after finishing 15-8-1 in the regular season. The team was coached by Jack Rovang, Corey Thomas and Phil Adams.

• Hayley Knutson’s single in the top of the seventh inning to score Lana Howe to tie the score was not enough as the Alden-Albert Lea U-16 fastpitch softball team was defeated 3-2 in eight innings in game two of a doubleheader against Kasson-Mantorville.

 

This year

• Congratulations to the Albert Lea 13AA baseball team for winning the Youth First Team Award at the Gopher state baseball tournament in Mankato and the Owatonna tournament this summer. They have been invited to go to a Minnesota Twins game and St. Paul Saints game this summer and participate in on-field activities. Team members include Michael Olson, Drew Carlson, Jack Skinness, Henry Kuiters, Jaxon Richards, Spencer Jones, Connor May, Grant Adams and Henry Buendorf. The team is coached by Brad Skinness, Brody Richards and Reid Olson.