Sports Memories by Chuck Anderson

50 years ago: 1967

• Results in first round baseball games in West Sub-District included Freeborn High School shutting out Emmons 11-0 and Alden also won by a shutout over Blooming Prairie 6-0. Winning pitcher Al Lindeman for Alden threw a two-hitter. Mike Nelson of Alden had two hits. In a second round game Alden defeated Glenville 12-2 with Mike Nelson getting three hits. Freeborn defeated Ellendale 8-0. John Miller led the Yeomen with two hits. Alden won the West Sub-District title after defeating Freeborn 6-5 in an eight-inning game. Lindeman pitched the win for the Blackhawks.

• In Albert Lea slowpitch, Gary Hoyne hit two home runs for Motor Inn in their 14-4 win over North Star. In a second game, the Elbow Room shut out Piggly Wiggly 13-0. Tom Guiney and John Willmert homered for Elbow Room.

• The Albert Lea High School track team won the District 2 title with 90 points and Austin was second with 64.5 points and Blooming Prairie third with 19. First place finishes for the Tigers were Craig Pedersen in the 100 and 200-yard dashes and the 180-yard low hurdles, Darrel Gavle in the discus and the shot put and John Vollum in the pole vault.

25 years ago: 1992

• In Section 2A, Sub-Section baseball, United South Central defeated Austin Pacelli 1-0 behind the one-hit pitching of Mark Ricke. USC lost in the second round to Maple River 6-5.

• ALHS graduate Jill Gaetz, a junior at Southwest State University, was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate All-American second  team in softball.

• Named to the 1992 All Big Nine Conference Baseball Team from ALHS were Wade Hammer, Steve VanMaldeghem, Bryon Carlson and Mike Piechowski. Receiving Honorable Mention were Steve Brigger and Mark Willmert.

• Steve VanMaldeghem hit a three-run home run for the Tigers in their 6-2 win over Faribault to win the sub-section title.

10 years ago: 2007

• In the opening round of Sub-Section 2AA baseball, NRHEG defeated USC 3-0. Winning pitcher Dakota Tracy threw a one-hitter for the Panthers.

• Bill Ferrie, of Albert Lea, shot a hole-in-one at the Green Lea Golf Course on the 13th hole.