The Albert Lea Colonels needed to gain some traction heading into the playoffs Friday and they got it Wednesday in Austin against the Greyhounds, though it didn’t result in a win.

Austin’s Craig Braaten connected for a two-run shot in the seventh inning to lead the Greyhounds to a 6-4 victory in the season-finale for Albert Lea.

The Colonels (4-17, 2-8) rallied from a 4-2 deficit to tie the game in the fourth inning when Jared Matson hit an RBI double and Joel Eisenbraun added a run with a groundout. Albert Lea wasn’t able to find any offense the rest of the game as Greyhounds starter John Halvorson shut down the Colonels.

Halvorson struck out 10 and gave up just four runs in nine innings to pick up the win.

Albert Lea’s exhausted pitching staff got some relief from Taylor Ignaszewski’s start on the mound. Ignaszewski, who threw five innings the previous night, threw a complete game for the Colonels and allowed six runs on 12 hits.

“He gave us a chance to win, but we didn’t do much after the fourth inning,” said Albert Lea manager Bill Trygstad.

Austin jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning, but Colby Strilaeff drew the Colonels to within a run in the second inning with a two-run single.

Albert Lea had a chance late to tie the game with runners on second and third in the ninth, but came up empty to end the game.

The Colonels will travel to Faribault Friday to face the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

Austin 6, Albert Lea 4

Albert Lea 020 200 000 — 4 7 1

Austin 301 000 20x — 6 12 2

WP — John Halvorson 9 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 10 K

LP — Taylor Ignaszewski 9 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 K