The Albert Lea High School baseball team played better than in recent games.

But the competition was also better.

The Tigers, still seeking their elusive first victory, hosted undefeated Mankato West Thursday and lost 8-3 in a Big Nine game at Hayek Field.

&uot;We played pretty well, but they’ve got a good club,&uot; said ALHS coach Joe Sczublewski, whose team fell to 0-7. &uot;We’re not playing bad. It’s just that other teams are playing a little better.&uot;

The Scarlets, who improved to 7-0, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Tigers tied it in the second, when Nick Veldman singled and eventually scored on a ground out by Adam Wacholz.

Preston Dahl, a sophomore right-hander making his first varsity start, held the Scarlets in check in the second and third innings, but West plated three runs in the fourth and another in the fifth. They got three more in the sixth off reliever Josh Diaz.

The Tigers added a run in the sixth as Veldman doubled and scored on a passed ball. In the seventh, Nate Loberg was hit by a pitch, stole second and later scored on a double steal.

Veldman finished 2-for-3. David Villarreal, Brandon Klukow, Derek Goodnature and Wacholz had one hit apiece.

Dahl took the loss. He gave up five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings, with five strikeouts and three walks.

&uot;He actually pitched very well,&uot; said Sczublewski. &uot;The first three innings he cruised through the lineup. He appeared to tire a little and got his pitches up a bit.&uot;

Diaz allowed one earned run in 1 1/3 inning. Dave Heijerman pitched the seventh.

The Tigers host arch-rival Austin in a Big Nine doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m. at Hayek Field.

Mankato West 8, Albert Lea 3

MW

100

313

x &045; 8

9

2

AL

010

001

1 &045; 3

6

2

LP &045; Preston Dahl