Albert Lea’s woes continued Wednesday night in Austin when the softball team faced Farmington in the first round of the Section 1AAA tournament.

The 12th seeded Tigers (5-17) dropped their 12th consecutive game in a 12-2, five inning loss to No. 5 seed Farmington at Todd Park.

Farmington (10-7) pounced on Albert Lea early tagging Tigers’ starter Lana Howe for 10 runs in two innings of work.

Farmington’s seven-run second inning was too much for Albert Lea to counter as 12 Farmington hitters went to the plate and the Tigers committed two errors.

“The first three innings we had three errors that really cost us,” said Albert Lea head coach Chad Feikema whose team also had an error in the first inning. “I think if we’re able to make those three plays instead of 10-0 it’s maybe 3-0.”

The Albert Lea offense failed to find hits with runners on. Albert Lea tallied seven hits in the game, but left a runner on base in each of the first three innings.

The Tigers did break through in the top of the fifth when they strung together four consecutive two-out hits and scored two runs which prevented the 10-run rule from taking effect.

Laura Gaudian hit a single up the middle with two out and Jenna Christensen followed with a single to start the threat for Albert Lea. Kristine Kelly connected for her third hit of the game to score Gaudian and Lauren Klick followed with an RBI single that scored Christensen, but the rally ended when Kelly was thrown out trying to advance to third base on Klick’s single.

Farmington came right back in the bottom half to score twice more to end the game.

Farmington center fielder Sarah Gunderson helped pace the offense with three base hits and a two-run double in the first inning. Gunderson also made a nice running catch in the fourth inning to retire Courtney Schnaith, who hit a ball to the gap in left center field.

Nichelle Klatt came on in the third inning and held Farmington to two runs on three hits.

Farmington 12, Albert Lea 2, 5 innings

Albert Lea 000 02 — 2 7 3

Farmington 370 02 — 12 11 0

WP — Ashley Betzold 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

LP — Lana Howe 2 IP, 8 H, 10 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K