The Albert Lea Colonels took a little momentum into the 2001 Southern Minny League playoffs.

Tuesday, July 31, 2001

The Albert Lea Colonels took a little momentum into the 2001 Southern Minny League playoffs.

But it didn’t last long.

The Colonels lost their playoff opener 18-0 at Austin Sunday night, a day after putting 12 runs on the board in the final game of the regular season against Northfield.

The Colonels, 1-21, resume the double-elimination playoffs tonight at 7:30 at Faribault. A loss would end their season. But the Colonels, according to manager Bill Trygstad, are looking for a win. The Colonels were very competitive with 4-14 Faribault, falling 3-2 and 8-3 in the regular season.

&uot;The guys are still playing hard,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;I can’t complain there.&uot;

The Austin game was simply a bad combination for the Colonels. They did not play well, totaling more errors than hits, while Austin got hot and stayed hot.

&uot;Everything in the game was dominated by Austin,&uot; said Trygstad.

Brad Carlson, Tim Davis, Zac Oquist, Ryan Wangen and Brandon Tukua had one hit apiece for Albert Lea.

Adam Berge pitched the first 2 1/3 innings and took the loss, giving up six earned runs on nine hits. Mike Piechowski and Craig Smith pitched in relief.

The Colonels collected 14 hits against Northfield, but the visitors totaled 15 while plating 20 runs.

Northfield broke it open with an 11-run fourth.

&uot;Again, we had one inning that was not very good to us,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;We did a little better job of hitting, but not enough to overcome 20 runs.&uot;

Carlson was 5-for-6 with a double and four RBIs, Felt 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBIs, Brett Damerow 2-for-5 with three RBIs, Adam Berge 2-for-5. Ryan Wangen hit a solo home run. Matt Trygstad singled.

Felt worked the first three innings on the mound and absorbed the loss. Pitching in relief were Derek Anderson, Oquist, Wangen and Carlson.

Albert Lea

&160;000

&160;000

&160;-

&160;0

&160;5

&160;6

&160;Austin

&160;083

&160;043

&160;-

18

&160;15

&160;0

18, Colonels 0

LP – Adam Berge

Northfield

&160;201

11-30

201

–

20

15

5

Albert Lea

&160;122

003

202

&160;-

12

14

4

Northfield 20, Colonels 12

LP – Matt Felt