The Albert Lea softball team traveled to Owatonna Thursday evening for a Big Nine Conference showdown.

The Tigers held a 9-8 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Huskies would rally to score two runs in the inning, including a walk-off single to win 10-9.

“This was a very intense game for us tonight,” Tigers coach Casey Kortz said. “(Owatonna) is a tough team, but we took the lead a few times and really challenged the (Huskies) to play their A-game.”

The first time the Tigers took the lead was in the first inning when they scored three runs.

Albert Lea would go scoreless the next three times up at-bat and trailed 6-4 going into the sixth inning.

Bethany Tennis started the Tigers off with a double, and Jenna Seavey and Alana Skarstad both followed with crucial hits.

Albert Lea would take an 8-6 lead to the bottom of the inning, but Owatonna quickly tied the game.

In the top of the seventh, Albert Lea pitcher Liana Schallock hit a double to start the inning. Tennis followed with a hit and Taysha Sternhagen delivered an RBI single that gave the Tigers a 9-8 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Owatonna was able to get to Schallock, with the first batter earning a walk. A triple would tie the game and then the Huskies would win on a single to the outfield.

“We have nothing to hold our heads down,” Kortz said. “We can only continue to work on the minor errors that make us better for our next game.”

The loss drops the Tigers to 3-3 on the season.

Albert Lea will play at Kasson-Mantorville on Monday.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.