The Albert Lea Tigers baseball team’s drive toward a Big Nine Conference title took a bad turn Monday with a 12-6 loss at Rochester John Marshall.

The loss dropped the Tigers, who entered the day atop the conference standings, down to a tie for third place. Rochester John Marshall and Century are now tied for first.

The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 but committed five errors in the game. The Tigers committed 11 errors in season series with the Rockets.

Tigers starting pitcher Cole Sorenson lasted 5-plus innings and gave up 11 hits and five earned runs while striking out three and walking three.

“John Marshall is a really strong hitting team and Cole had trouble getting his breaking ball to come around,” Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said. “We’ve got to be able to make plays in the field to help him out.”

Aaron Klatt, Sorenson and Conner Kortan each notched two hits for the Tigers, and Makael Lunning, Ethan Abben and Cory Hansen each had a hit.

The Tigers play again at 5 p.m. today at Austin.

Rochester John Marshall 12, Albert Lea 6

AL 310 011 0 — 6

JM 310 314 x — 12

WP — Patrick Windish 7 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO

LP — Cole Sorenson 5.1 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO

Albert Lea hitting: Aaron Klatt 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Cole Sorenson 2-4, 2B, R, RBI; Conner Kortan 2-3, R, RBI; Makael Lunning 1-4, 3B, R; Ethan Abben 1-4; Cory Hansen 1-4, R.