The Alden-Albert Lea Blackhawks U-16 fastpitch softball team traveled to St. Cloud to play in the Minnesota ASA state tournament last weekend to conclude the season.

Alden-Albert Lea was one of 24 teams to play in the tournament.

The Blackhawks went 3-2, picking up two wins by forfeit and beating Red Lake Falls 2-1 for another win. Alden-Albert Lea (11-14-1) won its first game of the tournament last Saturday, but dropped the next two. The Blackhawks fell 9-8 to Maple Lake and 3-2 to Wadena.

It was a rise in competition for the team, but Alden-Albert Lea was able to settle in after some time.

“The girls saw curveballs and dropballs,” said Blackhawks head coach Gary Nelson. “Once we got through the first time they started to hit the ball.”

Against Maple Lake Alden-Albert Lea rallied from an 8-0 deficit to tie the game, but Maple Lake eked out a run in the final frame for the 9-8 win.

“For the most part they played well,” Nelson said. “We just made some mistakes at key points.”

Alden-Albert Lea played all of its games last Saturday.

It was a good experience for the players and many return next season.