Albert Lea sits 2nd, Rochester John Marshall controls destiny for conference title

AUSTIN — After beating the Austin Packers Tuesday, the Albert Lea Tigers baseball team can only watch as the Rochester John Marshall Rockets play for a Big Nine Conference title today.

The Rockets finish their conference schedule at Winona, a team they beat 9-7 on April 21. If the Rockets win, they’ll clinch the Big Nine Conference championship. If they lose, the Rockets, Rochester Century and Albert Lea will finish in a three-way tie for first. The Tigers can finish no worse than second.

Aaron Klatt struck out eight and allowed three hits in a complete-game win over the Packers in Austin.

“Aaron was dominant on the mound tonight,” Tigers coach Joe Sczublewski said. “He had a great fastball and a good curve.”

Packers coach Troy Watkins said Klatt’s one of the best pitchers in the conference and “he pretty much shut us down.”

The Tigers scored in six of seven innings, including two runs in the third. Ethan Abben and Cole Sorenson each notched two hits and two RBIs for the Tigers, while Conner Kortan, Chris Stahl and Klatt added a hit.

The Tigers play again at 1 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the Section 1AAA tournament.

Albert Lea 7, Austin 1

AL 102 111 1 — 7 7 2

A 000 001 0 — 1 3 1

Albert Lea hitting: Ethan Abben 2-3, 2 RBI; Cole Sorenson 2-4, R, 2 RBI; Conner Kortan 1-4, 2B, RBI; Aaron Klatt 1-3, 2B, R; Chris Stahl 1-2.