The Austin Greyhounds made sure that the crowd for Albert Lea's Fan Appreciation Night got their money's worth.

Unfortunately, the Colonels' 5-3 win came at the expense of the 'Hounds losing streak, which now stands at a season-high seven games after Thursday's defeat.

"We probably didn't deserve to win," said Austin player/manager John Frein. "They wanted it more, they were pretty juiced."

The 'Hounds actually had the lead on two separate occasions. A two-out double from Craig Selk in the first brought home Bryan Toov to make it 1-0.

Albert Lea responded with two scores in the fourth off Austin starter Tate Cummins. Those would be the only runs he would give up in his six innings of work though. Cummins struck out seven and gave up only five hits while walking four, but had to settle for a no-decision.

Cummins also helped Austin tie it up in the fifth inning. Frein blooped a double and made it to third on a groundout. Cummins then plated him with an RBI fielder's choice.

The Greyhounds took another short-lived lead in the seventh. Grant Lunning led off with a walk and Frein reached on an error by the Albert Lea shortstop. After Cummins grounded into another fielder's choice to put runners at the corners, Selk picked up his second RBI of the game with a base hit up the middle to give the Greyhounds a 3-2 edge.

Austin's Nick Dolan made his 2003 debut in the game, coming in to throw a 1-2-3 seventh. He got into trouble in the eighth however, loading the bases with no one out. Dolan then walked Zac Oquist to plate the tying run.

That brought in Scott Meyer, who struck out Phil Wacholz before uncorking a wild pitch to score Ryan Wangen. The Colonels added an insurance run when Austin couldn't turn what would have been an inning-ending double play, allowing Justin Kohn to score from third.

Jeff Schultz made the lead stand up for Albert Lea to pick up the complete-game victory.

Selk's two hits and two RBIs paced the Austin offense, while Toov and Kyle Rizzi also had a couple of base knocks in the game. Dolan hustled out a double as well, one of three two-baggers for them in the game.

The 'Hounds fall to 4-3 in Southern Minny League play and 17-16 overall. They will be in Cold Spring tonight for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the rival Springers.

"We need to get a 'W,'" Frein said.

Linescore:

Austin100010100--3101

Albert Lea00020003x--562

Tate Cummins, Nick Dolan (7), Scott Meyer (8), and Andy Swank; Jeff Schultz and Phil Wacholz. WP--Schultz. LP--Dolan. 2B--AUS: Selk, Frein, Dolan.