Albert Lea drops home opener in double-digit shutout to Faribault

 

In their first game of the season, the Tigers faced adversity both in the defensive and offensive aspects of the field.

The Faribault softball team defeated Albert Lea 22-0 Tuesday at Hammer Field.

Albert Lea coach Casey Elsen called the loss a “tough first game.”

“We had many mental errors tonight and Faribault hit really well, and there’s not much we can do when they find those open gaps,” she said. “Even though the score was bad, we as a team beat ourselves.”

Elsen is in her first year at the helm for the Tigers, taking over for previous head coach Dan Harms.

Junior Kathryn Flaherty and senior Allison Grandstrand got the Tigers’ only two hits of the game, and senior Hanna Schilling got one strikeout while in the circle for Albert Lea.

Despite the end results of Tuesday’s outing, Elsen is confident the team’s season will improve.

“We are better than this and all we can do is go forward and work on our mistakes together,” she said. “I have confidence in these girls and I know their potential.”

Next, Albert Lea (0-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine Conference) will host Mankato West (1-0, 1-0) at 5 p.m. Thursday. The Scarlets are coming off of a 4-0 victory over Mankato East from Tuesday.