Offensive production improved for the Albert Lea softball team in its rematch with Owatonna, but the same was true for the Huskies.

After the Tigers beat the Owatonna 3-0 on April 13 at Albert Lea, the Huskies won the rematch 7-5 on Tuesday at Owatonna to even the regular-season series.

The Tigers trailed 7-5 in the seventh inning and loaded the bases, but the game ended on a strikeout.

Haley Harms led Albert Lea (8-6, 5-5 Big Nine) from the pitching circle. She struck out four batters and allowed nine hits, three earned runs and three walks in five innings.

Owatonna’s Tiana Blazek allowed the same number of hits and walks but picked up the pitching win.

“Both girls pitched well enough to win the game,” said Albert Lea coach Dan Harms. “It could’ve easily gone either way.”

The Tigers suffered an injury blow in the fifth inning when a pop-up between home plate and the pitching circle resulted in a collision between Harms and Albert Lea catcher Veronica Silva.

Silva went to the dugout and was replaced with Meliza Lopez. Harms moved to right field and was replaced left fielder Hanna Schilling in the pitching circle.

Taylor Thompson, Allison Grandstrand and Kassi Hardies led Albert Lea at the plate with two hits each. Harms, Lopez and Dayna Edwards added one hit each.

Next, Albert Lea will play a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Thursday at Mankato East (8-4, 5-1). The Cougars also split with Owatonna and are coming off a 16-1 win at Austin.