Opposing pitchers knew who swung the most potent bat for the Albert Lea High School baseball team this spring, and it allowed them to pitch around him.

But they still could not contain Derek Goodnature.

The senior made the most of his final season in a Tiger uniform and, as a result, was voted to the All-Big Nine Conference team. He as the lone selection for the Tigers, who finished 2-20. Two other seniors, Nate Loberg and David Villarreal, earned honorable mention.

Goodnature batted a team-high .371, leading the Tigers with five doubles, two home runs and 12 runs batted in. His on-base average was .438.

Goodnature played several positions in the field, finishing the season at shortstop.

In 46 innings on the mound &045; which tied for the team lead &045; Goodnature held opponents to a .276 batting average, striking out 44 and walking 41. He was the winning pitcher in a section tournament victory over Farmington.

&uot;Derek had an excellent season, with the bat especially, and as a leader for our team,&uot; said Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski. &uot;He hit .400 or close to it all season long, and was just a real positive influence. He was one of the toughest outs in the conference. Pitchers tried to pitch around him in our lineup.&uot;

Loberg, the Tigers’ center fielder and a first-year varsity player, hit .293 with 13 runs scored, three doubles, five RBIs, six stolen bases and a .413 on-base percentage.

&uot;Another very dedicated player,&uot; said Sczublewski. &uot;He loves to play. He’s a very scrappy player, we got a lot of hustle plays out of him. He batted leadoff for us a good share of the season.&uot;

Villarreal was a pleasant surprise, improving his numbers dramatically from his junior season. The Tigers’ left fielder, Villarreal batted .338 with 13 runs, two doubles, five RBIs and 12 stolen bases. His on-base average was .421.

&uot;He had just a huge turnaround in his numbers from last year,&uot; said Sczublewski. &uot;He had just an outstanding season and was one of our most consistent players. He was above .300 the entire year and seemed to be on base all the time.&uot;

The 2003 all-conference team, by school:

– Albert Lea &045; Derek Goodnature, sr.;

– Austin &045; Kyle Rizzi, sr.; Andy Swank, jr.;

– Faribault &045; Nick Rost, sr.;

– Mankato East &045; Nick Harstad, sr.; David Rivers, soph.;

– Mankato West &045; Danny Umhoefer, sr.; Mitch Salsbery, sr.; Eric Starke, sr.; Adam Sorenson,

sr.; Andy Stori, jr.; Jeff Case, sr.;

– Owatonna &045; Jesse Seykora, sr.; Jake Wilson, jr.; Billy Marka, jr.;

– Rochester Century &045; Dan Lyons, sr.; Justin Grant, sr.; Lee Anderson, jr.; Aaron Craig, jr.;

– Rochester John Marshall &045; Ben Schafer, jr.; Mike White, sr.;

– Rochester Mayo &045; Matt Meyer, sr.; Tony Konicek, sr.; Josh Brady, sr.; Ben Becker, soph.;

– Winona &045; Andy Gappa, sr.