The Albert Lea baseball team lost a pair of games Friday at Mankato East.

The Tigers fell in Game 1 of the doubleheader 4-1, and the Cougars rallied in Game 2 to win 5-4.

“We didn’t make a lot of mistakes, but the mistakes we made, they were able to take advantage of,” said Albert Lea coach Joe Sczublewski. “A play here or there could have changed things.”

Chris Enderson went the distance on the mound for the Tigers in Game 1. He struck out five batters and gave up three hits, two earned runs and five walks.

“He pitched really well,” Sczublewski said. “He’s getting stronger every time out.”

Mankato East also gave up three hits: one by Enderson, Johnathan Fleek and Mason Hammer.

In Game 2, Albert Lea built on a diving catch in center field by Wyatt Paulsen that ended the first inning by taking a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth, Sczublewski said. However, Mankato East tied the game in the bottom of the fifth and took a one-run lead it never relinquished in the sixth.

Parker Mullenbach and Johnathan Fleek shared time on the mound in the nightcap. Mullenbach struck out two batters and gave up seven hits, three earned runs and four walks in 4 1/3 innings. Fleek entered the game in relief for the final 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two batters and gave up one hit.

“Our pitchers did a good job in both games,” Sczublewski said. “We still need to hit the ball a little better. We’re not hitting as well as we’re capable of, and it makes every mistake more visible.”

The Tigers had six hits in Game 2. Mason Hammer and Paulsen led the Tigers at the plate. Hammer had two hits and scored two runs; Paulsen had two hits, including a double.

Albert Lea (4-12 overall, 3-12 Big Nine Conference) has lost nine straight games. The Tigers look to get back on track at 5 p.m. Monday at Winona.

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: May 16 post.