WASECA &045; There was no score in the bottom of the third inning when Waseca’s Adam Christ hit a fly ball to center field for the second out.

With both baserunners moving on the play, it was an easy double play for the Albert Lea Colonels. Or at least it should have been.

The throw to first sailed into the dugout, scoring a run and advancing the other runner to third. The Braves went on to score four more unearned runs in the inning on their way to a 10-0 Southern Minny League baseball victory at Waseca’s Tink Larson Field Wednesday night.

The errant throw wasn’t the only Albert Lea error of the night &045; or even the inning &045; just the most visible. The Colonels had six errors in all.

According to manager Bill Trygstad, that wasn’t the difference.

It was hits. The Colonels managed only three off right-hander Joe Kern, a Minnesota State-Mankato standout who joined the Braves when Mankato’s amateur team folded for the summer.

“He was tough,” said Trygstad. “He’s a good pitcher, a good pickup for them this year.”

And he had strong defensive support, with Waseca turning three double plays.

“We played a very good team tonight,” said Trygstad. “From what I’ve seen, Waseca has the best team, from top to bottom, of anyone we’ve faced.”

The Colonels had three hits, a double by Mick Westeng and singles by Jeff Schulz and Phil Wacholz. Westeng was the only Colonel to reach second base off Kern, who walked two and struck out seven.

Craig Smith started and pitched into the fifth inning for the Colonels, giving up six runs on six hits, with three walks and four strikeouts. One of the runs was earned.

Jay Link threw two innings in relief, with Schulz working the seventh.

Only one of Waseca’s 10 runs was earned.

“We played pretty well last night at Blue Earth, but tonight was one of those games where they just completely outplayed us,” said Trygstad. “I’m sure we’ll bounce back Sunday against Owatonna. We’re a better team than we showed tonight. We just couldn’t get anything going.”

The Colonels, 3-6 overall and 1-6 in the league, host Owatonna at 7 p.m. Sunday at Hayek Field. The Colonels’ lone league win was at Owatonna.