WASECA &045; If a victory over last year’s state runner-up wasn’t enough to convince you the Albert Lea Colonels are for real this year, maybe this will.

The Colonels knocked off perennial power Waseca 4-3 Wednesday night at one of the most difficult places in southern Minnesota for a visiting team to win, Tink Larson Field.

&uot;I don’t remember the last time we won there. I don’t believe it’s since I’ve been doing this,&uot; said eighth-year Colonels manager Bill Trygstad. &uot;I knew we’d be more competitive this year. Going up there and getting a win on that field should give the guys a lot of confidence.&uot;

The Colonels, 1-22 a year ago, improved to 2-1 in the Southern Minny League and 2-3 overall. Their other win was against the Austin Greyhounds, who finished second in last year’s state tournament. The Braves fell to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in league games.

The Waseca game was similar in that Isaac Walton, recently graduated from high school, pitched eight solid innings for the win. He had a no-hitter through five innings, though the Braves managed to score twice in that span, and finished with a three-hitter. He survived eight walks while striking out nine.

&uot;He made the pitches when he needed to,&uot; said Trygstad.

Jeff Schulz made his first appearance of the year on the mound for the Colonels and retired the Braves in order for a save.

&uot;He set down the top of their order, 1-2-3, on a fly ball, a strikeout and a ground out,&uot; said Trygstad. &uot;Jeff pitched well.&uot;

Brett Damerow was 2-for-5 with a double, which drove in two runs and put the Colonels on top 4-3 in the seventh. David Dahl and Matt Trygstad were both 2-for-4. Ryan Wangen, Phil Wacholz, Brandon Tukua and Craig Smith had the other Albert Lea hits.

&uot;We played a real good game, from top to bottom basically,&uot; said Bill Trygstad. &uot;We outhit Waseca, which was good, and our defense was very good. The guys were excited and they should have been. They deserved to win. I hope it carries forward.&uot;

The Colonels’ game at Blue Earth tonight was postponed until July 6 because Blue Earth Area is in the high school state tournament. The Colonels play at New Ulm Saturday.

Colonels 4, Waseca 3

Albert Lea

100 010 200 &045; 4

10

0

Waseca

100 100 10x &045; 3

3

3

WP &045; Isaac Walton (2-0)