Coming into a rematch with Mankato West, the Albert Lea softball team’s batting was on the upswing.

In the previous two games, the Tigers hit a combined four home runs. On the season, Albert Lea’s Megan Kortan and Haley Harms produced a hit in all 10 games, and half of the Tigers’ lineup had a batting average of .429 or better.

However, the Tigers’ bats fell silent against the Scarlets.

Lexi Schoper pitched a perfect game to lead Mankato West past Albert Lea 10-0 Thursday in six innings at Hammer Field.

“We’re a pretty good-hitting team, so that tells you how tough she is,” said Tigers coach Dan Harms. “She’s probably the best pitcher in the conference.”

Schoper faced 18 Albert Lea batters and struck out 14.

Despite losing by the mercy rule an inning early, Albert Lea played errorless ball.

“They’re a quality team, and everyone else is going to look that much easier now,” coach Harms said. “We need to learn from it.”

Harms led the Tigers (7-4, 4-4 Big Nine) from the pitching circle. In six innings, she faced 33 batters, struck out three and allowed 15 hits, 10 runs and two walks.

When Albert Lea (7-4, 4-4 Big Nine) met Mankato West (10-1, 7-0 Big Nine), the Scarlets won 10-7. Those seven runs were the second-most Mankato West allowed all season.

The Tigers will look to rebound with five games in four days. Albert Lea will host a doubleheader against Northfield at 4 p.m. Monday, play at Owatonna’s Morehouse Park at 5 p.m. Tuesday and play a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Thursday at Mankato East.