The Tigers couldn’t push across the game-winning run with Cole Sorenson on third base with one out in the bottom of the seventh and lost 3-4 to Hastings in the opening round of the section tournament at Hayek Field.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Sorenson reached first base on a sharply hit grounder that rolled through the second baseman’s legs. With Josh Eisenbraun up next, Sorenson stole second on a 1-0 count before Eisenbraun dropped a sacrifice bunt to first base advancing Sorenson to third.

With the Tiger fans and players on their feet, Hastings’ starting pitcher David Schoebrel got J.T. Bellrichard looking at a called third strike and struck out Jordan Cooper swinging to end the inning.

Albert Lea starting pitcher Aaron Klatt returned to the mound in the top of the eighth after having only given up two runs in seven strong innings. With the bases loaded and two outs, Hastings’ Aaron Stoneberg singled, driving in two and what proved to be the game winning run.

The Tigers (14-7) threatened again in the bottom of the eighth. After Jordan Mondeel led off the inning with a walk, Carter Kortan grounded into a close fielder’s choice play at second base with Mondeel sliding in just shy of the force out. Conner Kortan then walked on a 3-1 count, moving his brother into scoring position and prompting the Raiders (7-16) to make a pitching change.

Wes Hedlund relieved Schoebrel and got Klatt to strike out looking, showing good control. Colby Strilaeff then drove in Mondeel with his second RBI of the night before Sorenson grounded out to a fielder’s choice at second base to end the season.

The Tigers scored their first two runs in the fourth inning. Strilaeff drove in Klatt with a double to right-center before being replaced by pinch runner Makael Lunning at second base. Lunning then stole third base with two outs and scored on an error as Hastings’ catcher tried to throw him out.

The loss ended an impressive season for the Tigers who were two games behind first place in the Big Nine and earned the number two seed in the Section 1AAA Tournament.

The season ended, though, with head coach Joe Sczublewski looking for runs left on the field.

“We had some opportunities and we just didn’t take advantage of them,” Sczublewski said. “They got two big strikeouts with our guy on third and that’s the difference in the game.”

Klatt pitched the entire game, giving up four runs on eight hits.

“Klatt pitched a great game,” Sczublewski said. “He pitched well enough to win, we just didn’t hit at the right time.”

Hastings will play the winner of Northfield and Red Wing on May 31 at 1 p.m.