(Scroll down to see recaps of the 2006-2011 seasons) 
2011 - 12-4 (Section Champion!)... 23-11-2 overall
2010 - 10-6... 20-9 overall
2009 - 11-5 (Division Winner)... 15-13 overall 
2008 - 8-6... 15-12 overall 
2007 - 12-3 (Playoff Qualifier)... 17-11 overall 
2006 - 14-2 (Division Winner, Section Finalist)... 23-7 overall
2005 - 8-8 (Playoff Qualifier)... 13-14-2 overall
2004 - 13-3 (Division Winner)... 15-12 overall
2003 - 8-10... 9-19 overall
2002 - 8-8 (Playoff Qualifier).... 8-9 overall
2001 - 10-8

 MANAGER OF THE YEAR
1976 - Wally Olstad
1981 - Wally Olstad
2002 - Jim Eastman
2004 - Matt Towns
SOUTHEAST SECTION MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
2004 - Ben Everson
2006 - Jesse Appel
2009 - Mike Nanstad
KENDALL MURRAY AWARD (OUTSTANDING PITCHER)
2004 - Ben Everson
2007 - Mike Nanstad
COMMISSIONER'S AWARD (SPECIAL RECOGNITION)
2008 - Jim Eastman
SOUTHEAST SECTION LEADING HITTER
2011 - Aaron Laskowski

TIGERS FALL IN NIGHT LEAGUE SECTIONAL FINAL -- The Albion Tigers dropped a 6-0 decision to the Stoughton Merchants Thursday night in the Eastern Night League sectional final.  The Tigers finish their year with a 20-9 overall record, including a 10-6 mark in the rugged West Division of the Southeast Section.
TIGERS ADVANCE IN ENL PLAYOFFS -- The Albion Tigers defeated the Fort Atkinson Generals 7-6 on Thursday night to advance to the Eastern Night League final, where they will host Stoughton next Thursday night at Racetrack Park in Edgerton.  The Tigers now boast a 20-7 overall mark heading into their final Southeast Section game Sunday at 1pm in Albion Park.  Both teams scored two runs in the first inning, when the Tigers scored one on a fielding error and another on Jim Eastman's bases-loaded walk to answer the Generals' fast start.  Albion took the lead in the second when Marty Johnson led off with a single and eventually scored on Aaron Manogue's sacrifice fly.  Josh Eastman followed by clubbing a two-run homer to left to make it 5-2.  After Fort got one back in the third, Albion extended to 7-3 in the fifth on RBIs from Jason Millar and Johnson.  Fort added three runs in the seventh to make it close, but Josh Eastman finished the job on the mound to save the win for starting pitcher Matt Buhrow, who allowed only 2 earned runs over 4.2 innings while striking out five.
TIGERS EXPLODE IN NINTH FOR WIN -- After eight innings in Jefferson on Sunday, the Albion Tigers were looking at a 3-2 deficit in a ballgame full of defensive gems and stranded baserunners.  However, things changed a little bit in the ninth inning when the Tigers exploded for nine runs and ran away with an 11-3 victory over the shell-shocked Blue Devils.  The win leaves Albion alone in second place at 10-5 in the West Division of the Southeast Section and in line for their seventh playoff berth in nine seasons.  After banging out ten hits but getting only two runs over the first eight innings, the Tigers loaded the bases to start the ninth when Ben Prather walked following infield hits from Josh Eastman and Jesse Appel.  Kyle Johnson plated the tying run with a groundball to short, and Ben Everson gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead with a two-run single to right.  That opened the floodgates and Albion continued to pour it on, pushing across six more runs with RBI hits from Ethan Vaade (his third hit of the day), Matt Millar, Eastman, and Appel.  Albion's Mike Nanstad went the distance on the hill, throwing an efficient nine innings and striking out five on his way to his seventh win of the year. 
NEWCOMERS HELP TIGERS CLINCH -- Rookies Kyle Johnson, Trevor Kinnett, and Adam Gregory all played key roles as the Albion Tigers beat Sun Prairie 5-3 on Thursday night to clinch first place in their division of the Eastern Night League.  Johnson led the way offensively with three hits, including a sixth-inning home run that scored Kinnett with the game-winning run.  The Tigers got a 3-0 lead early with RBIs from Casey Schmeling and Aaron Manogue, but Sun Prairie answered with three in the fourth off starting pitcher Matt Buhrow.  It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth, when Kinnett coaxed a ten-pitch walk with one out.  That brought Johnson to the plate, who promptly launched his third hit of the night over the left-field fence for the 5-3 margin.   Gregory then came on to throw a perfect seventh inning to nail down the save for the Tigers, who finished their ENL regular season at 8-2.
TIGERS BEAT BLUES 2-1 -- Justin Lambert and Mike Nanstad combined to shut Cambridge down on eight hits, and the Albion offense did just enough for the Tigers to earn a hard-fought 2-1 victory in Utica on Sunday.  The Tigers got both of their runs in the fifth, when Aaron Laskowski singled and Ben Everson was hit by a pitch to put two on with only one out.  Matt Millar then singled down the line in left to score Laskowski, and Everson was able to score all the way from first when the ball was misplayed.  Lambert allowed a run in the sixth, but was able to go seven innings to earn the win.  Nanstad threw two scoreless with a couple of strikeouts to nail down the save.  Laskowski finished 3x4 on the day and added two stolen bases as well.
TIGERS SHOW NO REGARD FOR ASSOCIATION -- The Albion Tigers gained the inside track for second place and a potential playoff spot with a 12-1 victory over the first-place Utica Association in Albion Park on Sunday.  The rivals have combined to earn 9 of the past 12 division playoff berths in the Southeast Section, and again sit atop the West Division with the A's at 9-3 and Albion at 8-5.  Moundmen Mike Nanstad and Justin Lambert combined for the six-hit win, but the real story was the Albion offense.  After being set down in order for the first 3 innings, Albion gained a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Ben Prather's 2-run double to deep right-center.  Things would then get out of hand in the fifth as Albion pushed seven runs across.  Ben Everson squeezed home Matt Buhrow to make the lead 4-1, and Matt Millar followed with an RBI single.  Albion then loaded the bases just in time for Josh Eastman to clear them, hitting a 3-run triple to deep rightfield that made it 9-1.  Albion added a run in the seventh when Eastman doubled in another run, and Millar capped the scoring in the eighth with a 2-run double.
NANSTAD, EVERSON HELP ALL-STARS WIN -- Albion's Mike Nanstad and Ben Everson both contributed and played key roles on Friday night as the Home Talent League All-Stars from the Eastern and Southeast sections defeated the North/West All-Stars 8-4.  The game was played at The Duck Pond in Warner Park and is the second straight victory for the E/SE team.  Everson, who entered the game as a reserve outfielder and played four innings, drove in a run and scored one himself in a two-run eighth that stretched the E/SE lead to 8-3.  Nanstad, who had entered a half-inning earlier to pitch the eighth, also threw the ninth and struck out three on his way to earning the save.
TIGERS WIN NIGHT LEAGUE SLUGFEST -- The Albion Tigers banged out sixteen hits and staged a six-run comeback on Thursday night as they beat the visiting Stoughton Merchants 10-9 to clinch a berth in the Eastern Night League playoffs.  Tiger outfielders Aaron Laskowski and Dan Millar each had two hits and two RBIs, while winning pitcher Matt Buhrow ran his ENL record to 5-0.  Stoughton ran out to a lead of 6-0 by the middle of the second, but with four runs in the bottom half Albion was right back in it.  Sean Gerber's home run in the fourth pushed the Merchants' lead to 9-4, but that would be the end of their scoring as Buhrow wriggled out of another jam and was relieved by Josh Eastman, who ended up throwing three scoreless to pick up his third save.  Albion would then go on to score six runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Trevor Kinnett's 2-run double to left and Kyle Johnson's groundout to second that drove in the final and winning run.
TIGERS CLAW BACK INTO PLAYOFF PICTURE -- With his team's season on the line Sunday against McFarland, Jesse Appel drove home Aaron Laskowski and Jim Eastman with the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the ninth as the Albion Tigers fought and hustled their way to a thrilling 8-7 comeback victory.  The Tigers are now 7-5 in Southeast Section play, tied with McFarland and within a half-game of the division's second playoff spot.  The Tigers fell behind 4-0 in the fifth inning, but got back in the game in the bottom half when Casey Schmeling, Aaron Manogue, and Laskowski had consecutive RBI hits to make the score 4-3.  McFarland scored three in the top of the sixth, but the inning ended as a perfect relay from Appel to Josh Eastman to Matt Millar cut down Muskie third-baseman Joe Nartowicz, who was attempting to stretch his RBI triple into a home run.  Albion seized the momentum and, behind three scoreless innings of relief from Mike Nanstad, started to chip away at the lead.  Schmeling's RBI in the sixth and Millar's single in the seventh made it 7-5 and set the stage for Albion's ninth.  Marty Johnson was hit by a pitch, and Laskowski walked.  After a pitching change, Ben Everson was beaned as he squared to bunt, and was replaced by pinch-runner Jim Eastman.  With one out, Millar drew a walk to force in a run, and Appel promptly lined the first pitch into right-center to send the Tiger bench and crowd into hysterics. 
TIGERS MAKE CAMBRIDGE BLUE AGAIN -- Matt Buhrow and Josh Eastman combined to strike out eleven and allowed no earned runs as the Albion Tigers defeated the Cambridge Blues 3-1 on Thursday night at Utica Park.  The Tigers got on the board in the first when Aaron Laskowski drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on Justin Lambert's bases-loaded walk.  Albion went up 2-0 in the third when Marty Johnson singled and stole second, and then was driven home by Casey Schmeling, who is now hitting .533 in Night League play.  Johnson was the Blues' foil again in the fifth, when he led off with a single and scored when Mike Nanstad doubled down the left-field line.  Cambridge brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but was denied when Eastman induced a Trevor Kinnett-Laskowski-Aaron Manogue double play ball to end the game.    
TIGER OFFENSE LIGHTS UP FOURTH, ORFORDVILLE -- The Edgerton Lions Club threw a party in Racetrack Park on Sunday, complete with two sets of fireworks.  The early show was supplied by the Albion Tigers, who knocked 12 base hits and scored in six different innings on their way to a 11-0 win over the Orfordville Orioles.  Aaron Manogue, Aaron Laskowski, and Jesse Appel each had two hits, and Mike Nanstad earned the win by going six innings and striking out six.  Laskowski put the Tigers on the board in the first when he singled, moved to second on a bunt by Casey Schmeling, stole third, and scored on a throwing error.  The Tigers went up 2-0 in the second when Appel led off with a single and eventually scored on Manogue's RBI squeeze bunt.  They started to gang up in the third, when four runs came across with RBIs from Josh Eastman, Appel, and Matt Buhrow.  After a single run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, Kyle Johnson stroked a two-run triple down the left-field line that provided the final two runs.
THE NIGHT TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME -- The first evening game in Albion in a generation was a resounding success as the Albion Tigers pummelled Whitewater 10-1 on Thursday night.  Matt Buhrow earned his third Night League win and Josh Eastman finished up on the mound as the Tigers moved to a 5-1 Eastern Night League record.  Albion scored two in the second and never looked back.  Marty Johnson was hit by a pitch and Buhrow singled to start the inning.  Johnson eventually scored on a wild pitch, and Corey Vickers followed with an RBI single to left to score Buhrow.  In the third, two runs scored when Buhrow's bases-loaded grounder to third was misplayed, and Dan Millar followed with a two-run single to push the Albion lead to 6-0.  After the Swingers got one back in the top of the fifth, Mike Nanstad singled up the middle in the bottom half to make the lead 7-1.  Sixth-inning RBIs from Vickers, Ben Towns, and Matt Towns provided the final margin for Albion.
TIGERS POUND DEERFIELD 10-0 -- The Albion Tigers pounded out ten hits and played errorless ball as they defeated visiting Deerfield 10-0 on Sunday.  Justin Lambert and Mike Nanstad combined on a one-hit shutout, while the Albion bats came alive with a season-high ten runs.  Aaron Laskowski was 3x4 and scored three runs, while Ben Everson and Josh Eastman each contributed two hits to the cause.  Albion hit the scoreboard early when Laskowski singled and eventually scored on Ethan Vaade's first-inning sacrifice fly.  Everson made it 2-0 in the third, ripping a deep double over the rightfielders' head after another Laskowski single.  It stayed that way until the seventh, when the floodgates opened for an eight-run Albion inning.  Eastman's two-run single was the highlight, following RBIs from Vaade and Jesse Appel. 
TIGERS WIN 11-INNING THRILLER! -- The Albion Tigers played 11 innings of solid baseball on Thursday night in McFarland and were rewarded with a 2-1 victory.  Matt Buhrow and Josh Eastman shared mound duties for the Tigers, with Buhrow throwing five innings and striking out eleven Muskies before giving way to Eastman, who threw six scoreless and fanned ten to earn the win.  After falling behind 1-0 early, Albion tied it in the sixth when Casey Schmeling reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and then was safe at home on close play when Marty Johnson singled to left.  Those guys were at it again in the 11th, when Kyle Stearns led off with a walk and was bunted to second by Aaron Laskowski.  After a Schmeling single, Johnson came through with his third hit of the night to score Stearns and put the Tigers up 2-1.   
TIGER BATS COME ALIVE -- The Albion Tigers have been searching for offense all year, but found plenty of it on Thursday night as they outscored Whitewater 8-5 to move to first place at 3-1 in the Eastern Night League.  Ten different Tigers hit safely, while rookie catcher Kyle Johnson led the way with 2 hits and 2 RBIs, including an RBI single to right in the second to get Albion on the board.  Albion also had a  four-run fifth inning, highlighted by Josh Eastman's 2-run double.  Matt Buhrow went 4 innings to earn the win, while Mike Nanstad and Josh Eastman combined for three innings of relief while allowing only one run.
TIGERS SURVIVE RAIN, OUTLAST ORIOLES -- The Albion Tigers and Orfordville Orioles played through rain and a wet field on Sunday, but the Tigers were able to come out on top with a 6-5 victory. Justin Lambert threw 6 innings and struck out 11, and Mike Nanstad was able to throw three scoreless innings to get the win in relief.  After falling behind 4-0, Albion had a four-run rally in the fifth on the strength of only one hit. Marty Johnson led off with a single, then was followed by walks to Casey Schmeling and Aaron Laskowski. Ben Everson was hit by a pitch to score the first run, then Ethan Vaade drove in a run with a fielder's choice groundball. After Jesse Appel walked to re-load the bases, Josh Eastman and Jason Millar each drew walks to force the tying runs. The Tigers fell behind again in the sixth, but tied it in the seventh when Eastman singled and Millar doubled him home with two outs. Then, in the eighth, Casey Schmeling walked and moved all the way around on wild pitches to score the winning run.
TIGERS BEAT WHITEWATER 3-1 -- Mike Nanstad and Justin Lambert have been throwing solid baseball all year long, but Sunday they got a little help from their friends as the Albion Tigers played errorless ball in a 3-1 win over Whitewater.  Nanstad went six innings for his second win while striking out nine, and Lambert faced the minimum over the last three innings and shut out the Swingers for the save.  Albion got on the board in the first inning when Aaron Laskowski walked and Ben Prather was hit by a pitch to set the table for Jason Millar, who singled down the third-base line to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.  Whitewater would pull to 2-1 with a run in the sixth, but when Laskowski started the home eighth with a double and scored on Jesse Appel's single, the Tigers had all the runs they would need. 
BUHROW STOPS SUN PRAIRIE -- The Albion Tigers got an outstanding pitching performance from Matt Buhrow in defeating Sun Prairie 3-0 Thursday night.  In helping the Tigers go 2-0 in the Eastern Night League, Buhrow went the distance, striking out five and walking none while scattering eight singles. Buhrow's teammates gave him all the help he would need in the first inning.  Aaron Laskowski led off with an infield single, and after Ben Prather singled with one out, Marty Johnson ripped an RBI double to left.  The next batter, Josh Eastman, scored Prather with an RBI groundout.  Albion tacked on an insurance run in the sixth, when Justin Lambert drew a two-out walk, moved to second on Jason Millar's single, and then scored when Casey Schmeling singled to center.
TIGERS BEAT GRAYS 4-2 -- Mike Nanstad and Justin Lambert combined to strike out 15 as the Albion Tigers defeated Lake Mills 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Campus Field.  Nanstad threw 6 innings to pick up his first win of the season, allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits.  Lambert threw three scoreless to close out the Grays.  After falling behind 1-0 in the first, Albion pulled even in the third on Jesse Appel's sacrifice fly and took the lead in the fourth when Aaron Manogue squeezed home Josh Eastman.  Eastman added an RBI groundout in the fifth, scoring pinchrunner Leif Thronson.
TIGERS FOLLOW PITCHERS, SCHMELING TO WIN -- The Albion Tigers got an outstanding pitching performance as well as three hits from Casey Schmeling on their way to a 10-1 Eastern Night League win on Thursday night over Cambridge.  Josh Eastman finished up the job on the mound, holding the Blues to only one baserunner over two innings for the save.  Offensively, the Tigers had three rallies, and Schmeling was a key figure in each.  He had a single to start the Tigers' three-run third, which was capped by Aaron Manogue's RBI single.  Kenseth and Schmeling each had RBIs in the five-run Albion fourth, and Schmeling capped his night with a third hit and another RBI in the fifth.   
TIGERS OPEN WITH WIN AT STOUGHTON -- The Albion Tigers started the Southeast Section portion of their 2010 season with a 4-0 win at Stoughton on Sunday.  Justin Lambert and Mike Nanstad combined for a two-hit shutout, while the Tigers banged out eight hits and did all the little things right in spoiling the Merchants' home opener.
Corey Vickers and Ben Everson led the Tigers with two hits apiece, and were the central figures in Albion's three-run rally in the fifth.  Vickers led off with a double, and Casey Schmeling followed with an infield single.  After Aaron Manogue's second sacrifice bunt of the game, Everson singled sharply to right to score two.  Everson later scored when Ethan Vaade's single to left was mishandled. 
TIGERS DOUSE FIREMEN 13-1 -- The Albion Tigers opened up their 65th season with a 13-1 exhibition win at Waterloo Tuesday night.  Tiger pitchers Justin Lambert, Ben Everson, and Josh Eastman combined to allow only 5 baserunners while striking out ten.  Offensively, the Tigers pounded out 14 hits and were led by Corey Vickers, who went 2x3 with 3 RBIs and started the Albion scoring in the second inning with a two-run single to center.  Ben Everson reached base 4 times for the Tigers, while Jesse Appel was perfect in his three plate appearances and Ben Towns contributed two hits as well. 

NANSTAD RECOGNIZED AS MVP -- Mike Nanstad has been a part of the Albion Tigers' success for the last eleven seasons, but in 2009, some would argue that he was the reason for their success as they won their third West Division title in six years.  For his efforts over the 2009 season, Nanstad was voted Most Valuable Player by the Southeast Section managers, and was presented with the award Sunday night in Waunakee.  Nanstad started 13 games for Albion, winning 10 of them and finishing 8 of them.  He threw a whopping 115.3 innings for the Tigers, striking out 138 while walking only 32 and posting a 1.72 ERA.  His efforts in the last two weeks were especially remarkable, going on the road to beat East Division leader Fort Atkinson and West Division co-leader Lodi to vault Albion into first place.  Nanstad joins teammates Ben Everson (2004) and Jesse Appel (2006) as Albion's recent winners of the award.
BLUE DEVILS ELIMINATE TIGERS -- After a one-year absence, the Albion Tigers returned to the Southeast Section playoffs on Sunday but were quickly dispatched by the Jefferson Blue Devils 4-1.  The Tigers, winners of the West Division, finished with a record of 11-6.  Jefferson, meanwhile, is also now 11-6 and takes a three-game win streak into the sectional final at Fort Atkinson next week.  
TIGERS WIN MARATHON, DIVISION -- In the sixth inning of their regular-season finale on Sunday, the Albion Tigers clinched a playoff spot with some unexpected happenings on the out-of-town scoreboard.  But with their eyes on an outright division title, the Tigers battled co-leader Lodi for 13 innings before pulling out a dramatic 4-2 victory.  The Tigers have now qualified for the playoffs in six of the last eight years, including three first-place finishes.  Mike Nanstad was once again Albion's workhorse, striking out 13 and allowing only one unearned run over 12 innings before giving way to reliever Josh Eastman.  The Tigers scored early, when Aaron Laskowski led off the third with a single and scored on Ben Everson's deep double to left.  The score stayed 1-0 until Lodi scored an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to force extras.  In the top of the 13th, Jason Millar singled to lead off and advanced on a wild pitch.  He then scored on Matt Buhrow's RBI single to left to give Albion a 2-1 lead.  Laskowski then followed with the big blow - a 2-out, 2-run home run to left that pushed the lead to 4-1.  Josh Eastman allowed an unearned run in the bottom of the 13th, but held on to preserve Nanstad's 10th win of the year by striking out All-Star Tyler Kurt to end the game.  Everson finished 2x6 on the day with two doubles and an RBI, while Laskowski was 3x7, scored two runs and drove in two.
TIGERS CLAW ONE OUT AGAINST GENERALS -- After two weeks of disappointing losses, the Albion Tigers bounced back in grand fashion on Sunday and won 5-3 at Fort Atkinson to reclaim their share of first place in the Southeast Section.  Mike Nanstad threw his eighth complete game of the year, striking out five and allowing only five hits.  Albion got on the board early with two in the first when Ben Everson and Ethan Vaade walked and eventually scored on Jesse Appel's sacrifice fly and Marty Johnson's RBI single.  Everson led off the third with a double and Vaade walked before Appel's bunt single was misplayed, allowing Everson to score.  Vaade would score on the next pitch, which was wild and went all the way to the screen.  Albion capped their scoring in the fifth when Jim Eastman singled home Levi Decker with two outs.
NANSTAD, VAADE AMONG LEAGUE'S STARS -- The Albion Tigers were well represented on Friday night when right-handed pitcher Mike Nanstad and infielder Ethan Vaade took the field in the Home Talent League All-Star Game.  Both players played on the Eastern/Southeast squad, which scored an 8-3 decision over the All-Stars from the Northern and Western Sections.  Vaade, the Southeast Section's leading hitter at .409, reached base on a fielder's choice in the fourth and again on a tough error in the seventh.  Nanstad, 8-3 on the season with an ERA under 2.00, threw a scoreless frame in the third inning to earn the win for the E/SE stars.
TIGERS TIGHTEN GRIP ON FIRST -- Somebody should tell Mike Nanstad that complete game victories and double-digit strikeout performances aren't supposed to be routine.  Though, he is starting to make it seem so following his 13-strikeout, 2-hit performance in an 8-2 win against the Evansville Jays on Sunday.  The win was Albion's seventh in a row and gives them a 2-game lead on second-place Utica and Lodi with 4 games to play.  Albion got going early on Sunday with three in the first inning with RBIs from Ethan Vaade, Marty Johnson, and Jason Millar.  They added one more in the second on a successful squeeze play by Ben Everson, and an error pushed the lead to 5-0 after 2 innings.  Aaron Laskowski (3rd) and Johnson (4th) added single RBIs over the next two innings, and Jim Eastman's third hit of the day scored Brian Towns in the seventh with the final Albion run.  Nanstad would allow two unearned runs in the eighth, but the Jays never threatened the Albion lead as Nanstad earned his 8th win of the year.
BATS, BUHROW LEAD TO NL WIN -- The Albion Tigers exploded for 16 runs on 14 hits and got another solid pitching performance from Matt Buhrow and Aaron Laskowski, and earned a 16-7 Night League win at Sun Prairie on Thursday night.  Four Tigers (Buhrow, Leif Thronson, Levi Decker, and Dan Millar) had multiple hits, while Buhrow threw 5 strong innings to even Albion's NL record at 3-3.  Albion started fast and did not slow down, scoring four in the first inning on RBIs from Jesse Appel, Brian Towns, and Buhrow.  Towns, Decker, and Millar led off the third with three straight hits, and two runs would come around on RBIs from Ty Thronson and Kyle Stearns.  Then, in the fourth, the Tigers really blew it open with RBIs from Buhrow, Millar, Ty Thronson, Stearns, and a 2-run single from Aaron Manogue to earn a 12-6 lead.  And for good measure, Millar added his second RBI of the night in the sixth and then scored on Mike Nanstad's 3-run pinch double that provided the final scoring margin.
SAME OLD SCRIPT: TIGERS DO IT AGAIN -- Baseball games are won by good pitching and timely hitting, and the Albion Tigers again proved those are two things they do well as they earned a 4-1 win over the Orfordville Orioles on July 4th.  All-Star pitcher Mike Nanstad again went the distance, striking out 12 and walking none, while scattering eight hits in earning his seventh win of the year.  Albion struck first in the third inning, when a Jesse Appel linedrive hit Oriole pitcher Alex Pratt in the foot and bounced into rightfield, allowing Ben Everson to score from second to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.  After Orfordville pulled even in the 5th, Albion took the lead for good in the 6th when Jason Millar and Corey Vickers had back-to-back singles, and then eventually scored on Jim Eastman's 2-run single to right.  Marty Johnson added an RBI single in the 7th to provide the final run for Albion.
VETERAN BATS LEAD TIGERS OVER MERCHANTS -- The Albion Tigers got another solid pitching performance from Mike Nanstad, played flawless defense, mixed in some timely hitting, and it all added up to a 5-1 victory at Stoughton.  Albion's ace right-hander went the distance, scattering 8 hits and striking out 6.  On offense, the Tigers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring two in the first inning after Aaron Laskowski tripled off the rightfield fence to start the game.  Ben Everson would walk and Ethan Vaade drove in Laskowski with a fielders' choice groundout.  Jesse Appel and Jason Millar followed with singles, with Millar's hit scoring Vaade for a 2-0 Albion lead.  In the third, Vaade would lead off with a single, move to second on a sacrifice from Appel, and eventually score on Millar's sacrifice fly to deep center.  In the fifth, Everson reached on a passed third strike and was followed by singles from Appel and Millar to push the lead to 4-0.  Stoughton tallied a run in the sixth, but Albion answered in the ninth when Laskowski singled, stole second, and scored on Vaade's third hit of the day.  Appel, Laskowski, and Millar each finished with 2 hits, with Millar having three RBIs.  Vaade chipped in with 3 hits and 2 RBIs.
NANSTAD DOMINATES DEERFIELD -- Dominant is one way to describe Mike Nanstad's performance against Deerfield on Sunday.  Overpowering and intimidating would also work.  But despite recording eighteen strikeouts and allowing only two hits, Nanstad was satisfied to be the winning pitcher as Albion beat Deerfield 1-0 in a hotly contested Southeast Section game.  Albion, despite some scoring threats early, was unable to push anything across until the sixth inning, when leadoff hitter Aaron Laskowski reached and advanced to second on a throwing error.  Ben Everson bunted him to third, and Laskowski eventually scored on Jesse Appel's RBI sacrifice fly to deep centerfield.  Deerfield would threaten with two baserunners in the seventh and the leadoff man in the ninth, but both times Nanstad was able to work out of trouble and preserve the Tigers' share of first place.
BUHROW LEADS TIGERS OVER BLUES IN NL GAME -- The Albion Tigers used a fast start and a great pitching performance to win their Night League game against Cambridge on Thursday night, 7-2.  Aaron Laskowski led off the game with a triple and scored on a throwing error on the play, and the Tigers were on their way building a 5-0 lead.  In fact, the first five Tigers in the lineup (Laskowski, Aaron Manogue, Marty Johnson, Brian Towns, and Casey Schmeling) all reached base and scored, with RBIs from Schmeling, Dan Millar and Matt Buhrow.  Schmeling and Josh Eastman would score unearned runs in the third to run the Albion lead to seven.  But the story was written by Buhrow and Laskowski on the mound.  Buhrow was outstanding, shutting out the Blues on only 2 hits over five innings.  He struck out six and walked only one.  Laskowski finished up, throwing the final two innings and protecting the lead for Albion.
RIGHTY-LEFTY COMBO DOES IT AGAIN -- For the better part of a decade, the Albion Tigers have relied on the award-winning pitching combo of right-hander Mike Nanstad and left-hander Ben Everson.  The same two guys were at it again on Sunday, but this time Everson did his damage at the plate, while Nanstad was throwing a 6-1 complete game victory against Stoughton.  Nanstad struck out seven while walking none, and the win keeps Albion in a three-way tie for first place with Utica and Lodi.  Stoughton got a run early, but Albion pulled even in the fifth.  Marty Johnson and Corey Vickers walked before Brian Towns singled to load the bases.  On the next pitch, Everson would gain his first RBI of the day on a groundball to third.  The game stayed even at 1 until the bottom of the eighth.  Jason Millar singled to start the inning, and was followed by two bunt plays - a single by Johnson and a picture-perfect sacrifice by Casey Schmeling.  Towns was intentionally walked to load the bases, which set the stage for Everson's 2-run single to center to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.  Aaron Laskowski singled to right to re-load the bases before Aaron Manogue drove in the fourth run with a groundball out up the middle.  Jesse Appel then delivered the dagger - a 2-run double to right-center that scored Laskowski and pinch-runner Riley Clifton as the Tigers opened up a 6-1 lead.
TIGERS BEAT UTICA, CLIMB INTO FIRST-PLACE FRAY -- The Albion Tigers had a big day offensively and got another outstanding effort on the mound from Mike Nanstad as they won at rival Utica 13-10 on Sunday.  The win, combined with other scores from around the Southeast Section, puts both teams into a four-way tie for first place in the West Division, along with Stoughton and Lodi.  Albion struck first in the third inning on Jason Millar's RBI single, then expanded their lead to 7-0 with a six-run fourth.  Aaron Laskowski had an RBI groundout, then after Albion loaded the bases, Ethan Vaade and Marty Johnson had back-to-back hits that each scored two runs.  Utica had a six-run inning of their own in the sixth, but the Tigers would bounce back.  In the 7th, Corey Vickers led off with a single and came around to score on Laskowski's RBI fielder's choice.  The Tigers then put it out of reach with 5 more in the eighth, highlighted by Vickers' 2-run single to right and single RBIs from Laskowski and Aaron Manogue.  Vickers, Johnson, and Vaade each would end the day with three hits for the Tigers. 
TIGERS FIND WINNING FORMULA -- After losing three straight Southeast Section games, the Albion Tigers found their way back into the win column with a 9-3 win against Lake Mills on Sunday.  Starting pitcher Mike Nanstad went the distance for the Tigers, striking out fifteen while walking only one.  Nanstad's effort was complemented nicely by the Albion offense, which scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back on their way to the six-run margin.  Ethan Vaade paced the Tigers with 5 hits and 4 RBIs, and his 2-run double was the key blow in the 3-run first.  Albion scored two more in the third when Corey Vickers singled in a run and later scored on a balk.  Vaade struck again in the fourth inning with another RBI double, and scored a run himself in the seventh when Jason Millar tripled.  Albion tacked on two more in the eighth, on Jim Eastman's sacrifice fly and yet another base hit from Vaade.
LATE HITS LIFT ALBION TO NL WIN -- The Albion Tigers got solid pitching and some timely offense late and earned a 5-4 win in a Night League game at Stoughton.  The Tigers built a 3-0 lead with RBIs from Marty Johnson in the first, Brian Towns in the second, and Casey Schmeling in the fifth.  Starting pitcher Matt Buhrow worked strong into the sixth inning, until Stoughton was able to tie the score and load the bases with two outs.  But reliever Aaron Laskowski got a strikeout to end the threat and set the stage for the seventh, where Laskowski would lead off with a single.  Two outs later, he would score on Jesse Appel's triple down the rightfield line, and Appel would score on the next pitch when Ethan Vaade doubled to right-center for a 5-3 Albion lead.  
ALL-AROUND EFFORT LEADS ALBION OVER WHITEWATER -- The Albion Tigers were nearly perfect in every aspect of the game on Sunday as they cruised to a 12-1 win over Whitewater.  Ben Everson (six innings) and Matt Buhrow (three innings) combined on a two-hitter and the Tigers played flawless defense in shutting down the host Swingers.
The Tiger offense was silent early, but came to life in the third on consecutive two-out hits from Jim Eastman and Aaron Laskowski, both of whom would later score on Aaron Manogue's double to right.  The game stayed 2-0 until the seventh, when the Tigers scored two runs on three hits from Corey Vickers, Laskowski, and Jesse Appel.  After Whitewater got one run back in the seventh, the Tigers roared to life with a six-run eighth, highlighted by Appel's two-run single and additional RBIs from Laskowski, Manogue, Jason Millar, and Ethan Vaade.  Appel capped the scoring in the ninth with another two-run hit - this time a blistering double down the rightfield line.  Appel finished the day 3x6 with 5 RBIs, and Laskowski reached and scored four times while driving in two himself.  Manogue also had three RBIs for Albion.
NANSTAD SHUTS DOWN ORIOLES 4-3 -- Most of the hitters in the Home Talent League's Southeast Section have had their fill of Mike Nanstad over the years, and the Orfordville Orioles were reminded of that on Sunday when Nanstad struck out sixteen of them while allowing only two hits and one run to lead the Albion Tigers to a 4-3 victory in a league opener for both teams.  Aaron Laskowski's RBI groundout in the second inning started the scoring for Albion, and the Tigers took a 2-0 lead after an error on the very next pitch.  Corey Vickers singled to right to make it 3-0 in the third.  After Orfordville got one back in the seventh, Aaron Manogue singled home Jim Eastman in the 8th for what proved to be the winning run.  Orfordville put the potential game-winning run on base in the ninth, but reliever Ben Everson was able to finish it off with a scoreless frame.

TIGERS GO EXTRAS TO BEAT DEVILS -- The Albion Tigers have enjoyed solid starting pitching all season long from the likes of Mike Nanstad, Ben Everson, Casey Schmeling, and others.  But a new face joined that crowd on Thursday night in Jefferson when Josh Eastman, in his first Albion starting assignment, threw 5+ innings and allowed only 2 runs on 5 hits and left the game with the lead in the sixth inning.  He was relieved by Nanstad, who threw three scoreless innings to earn the win in relief when the Tigers were able to rally for a 3-2 victory in 8 innings.  Jefferson took a 1-0 lead in the third on three straight singles, but Albion bounced back in the sixth and took the lead on four straight walks to Ethan Vaade, Marty Johnson, Pete Millar, and Jesse Appel.  Both runs (Vaade, Johnson) actually scored on wild pitches during that stretch.  Jefferson was able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, and it stayed that way until the top of the eighth, when Johnson led off with a single and was sacrificed to second by Millar.  After Brian Towns reached on an error, Corey Vickers promptly singled to rightfield, scoring Johnson and giving the Tigers a 3-2 lead.  Nanstad closed the door in the bottom half to preserve the Albion victory.  The win closes out the season for Albion, which finished 15-12 overall, including a 7-3 record against HTL and NL playoff teams.
ALBION DEFEATS EVANSVILLE 3-0 -- On Sunday, the Evansville Jays were playing for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  But the Albion Tigers were playing for pride, and were able to come away with a 3-0 victory behind the pitching of Mike Nanstad and some timely offense.  Nanstad went the distance for his fifth complete game win of the year, shutting out the Jays on three hits while striking out seven.  Albion got on the board in the first inning when Aaron Laskowski doubled, was sacrificed to third by Jesse Appel, and eventually scored on Pete Millar's sacrifice fly to deep left.  The Tigers tacked on two more in the fifth on Appel's sacrifice fly was followed by a throwing error by the Jays.  Marty Johnson chipped in some offense with two hits, and Aaron Manogue raised his team-leading batting average to .357 by going 2x3 and scoring a run.
TIGERS WIN NL GAME AGAINST SWINGERS -- Aaron Laskowski made good on his first appearance as a starting pitcher for the Albion Tigers, and also hit a two-run double for good measure in leading the Tigers to an 8-4 Eastern Night League win against the Whitewater Swingers on Thursday night in Edgerton.  Laskowski went the distance for the Tigers, striking out eight while allowing only four hits and three earned runs.  His teammates did the rest, answering every Whitewater rally with one of their own.
Whitewater got the scoring started in the top of the third with two runs, but Albion bounced back in the bottom of the inning when Laskowski laced a bases-loaded double to left field that scored two runs easily, while the third run was able to score when the Whitewater leftfielder bobbled the ball.  Laskowski then scored himself when Leif Thronson singled him in to give Albion a 4-2 lead.  After Whitewater evened the score in the top of the 4th, Albion responded with a three-run bottom half on RBI singles by Corey Vickers, Dan Millar, and Jake Rusch.  Dan Millar capped the Albion scoring when his third hit of the game drove in Mike Nanstad in the sixth inning.
NANSTAD PULLS DOUBLE DUTY AGAINST DEVILS -- Mike Nanstad added a little offense to his game on Sunday and became a one-man gang in leading the Albion Tigers to a 6-3 victory over the Jefferson Blue Devils.  Nanstad went the distance on the hill and struck out ten, while at the plate he reached base in all four plate appearances and scored a key run in the Tiger's decisive four-run eighth.  The Tigers took a two-run lead in the first inning when Pete Millar had an RBI single and took advantage of a throwing error to score the second run.  Jefferson tied the game with single runs in the sixth and seventh, but the Tigers blew it open with a four-run eighth.  Millar singled again to lead off the inning, and Brian Towns reached on a bunt that was misplayed.  After Casey Schmeling laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, Nanstad was intentionally walked to set up Aaron Manogue, who promptly laced the first pitch to right field for his second hit of the game and two RBIs.  Aaron Laskowski hit the next pitch off the right-field wall for a two-run triple to provide all the scoring Nanstad would need. 
TIGERS UPEND UTICA 9-4 TO STAY IN RACE -- The Albion Tigers got an outstanding pitching performance from Mike Nanstad and kept themselves in the playoff race with a key win against the Utica Association on Sunday at Albion Park.  Nanstad went the distance, striking out seven and allowing only six hits.  After a leadoff single in the fourth inning, the Association was unable to get another base hit as Nanstad settled in and allowed only one unearned run after that point.  Jordan Stine led the way offensively and defensively for Albion, going 2x4 and scoring what proved to be the winning run in the fourth when he singled, stole two bases, and scored on a throwing error.  He also ended two Utica scoring threats from centerfield, throwing a runner out at the plate in the first inning and catching a two-out, bases-loaded line drive in the second.  Ethan Vaade chipped in with two hits and two RBIs for Albion, and Aaron Manogue's leadoff triple keyed a four-run Tiger eighth that put the game out of reach.  
MARTY JOHNSON PLAYS IN HTL ALL-STAR GAME 
On Sunday Albion's Marty Johnson participated and played in the Home Talent All-Stars against the US Military All-Stars at Warner Park in Madison.  Johnson played an errorless 2 innings at third base, recording two putouts in the HTL's 5-2 victory. 
TIGERS HANG ON TO BEAT ORIOLES -- The Albion Tigers started out with a bang on Sunday, scoring seven runs in the first inning against visiting Orfordville.  But as it turned out, they needed all of those and then some to hold off the Orioles and preserve a 10-9 victory.  Jim Eastman and Aaron Manogue each had a two-run single in the Tigers big first inning, which also included RBIs from Brian Towns, Marty Johnson, and Matt Millar.  Pete Millar drove in what proved to be the winning run in the eighth inning when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  Ben Everson threw the first five innings for Albion and earned the win, allowing no earned runs.  Aaron Laskowski and Mike Nanstad finished up, each throwing two innings in relief.  Nanstad struck out four and wriggled out of a ninth inning jam to pick up the save.
TIGERS ROLL OVER KNIGHTS ON "JIM EASTMAN DAY" -- The Albion Tigers hosted the Dodgeville Knights on Independence Day at Racetrack Park and rode the right-left combo of Mike Nanstad and Jeff Stone to a 5-1 victory.  The Albion pitchers combined to allow only three baserunners,  while Nanstad struck out nine in earning the win.  Brian Towns and Aaron Laskowski each had two hits for Albion, and after Towns' 2-run single in the first inning, the Tigers never looked back.  But the real highlight of the day was the recognition of Jim Eastman's 20th season with the Tigers.  After the game, the Tigers and HTL president (and Dodgeville manager) Pat Reilly caught Eastman off-guard when they introduced him and presented him with an award recognizing his 20 years of service to the Tigers as a player and manager. 
Eastman, who was named HTL Manager of the Year in 2002, started his Albion career in 1989 upon his graduation from Edgerton High School.  He started Friday's game in rightfield, just yards behind his son Josh, who started at second base for the Tigers.
NANSTAD, APPEL LEAD TIGERS OVER GENERALS -- The Albion Tigers beat Fort Atkinson 6-0 Sunday behind outstanding performances from two of the best in the Home Talent League's Southeast Section.  Mike Nanstad, recognized as last years' dominant pitcher, went the distance, blanking the Generals while allowing seven hits and no walks.  2006 section MVP Jesse Appel drove in three runs on two extra-base hits to lead the Tiger offense.  The Tigers staked Nanstad to an early lead with three runs in the second inning with RBIs from Aaron Manogue, Matt Millar, and Ethan Vaade.  Appel struck for the first time in the fourth, lining a bases-loaded ground-rule double to the rightfield corner.  The Tiger centerfielder then capped the Albion scoring in the sixth with a run-scoring triple.
TIGERS WIN NL GAME AT WATERLOO -- Casey Schmeling pitched four innings for the win and the Albion bats came alive in a 13-8 Night League victory at Waterloo Thursday night.  The Tigers exploded for 6 runs in the 2nd inning, highlighted by consecutive hits from Brian Towns, Schmeling, Pete Millar, and Charles Buhrow.  The Tigers added five more runs in the 4th, and the rout was on.  Seven different Tigers had RBIs in the game, led by Pete Millar who had three RBIs as well as two hits and three runs.  Mike Nanstad and Leif Thronson each chipped in with two RBIs, and Jake Rusch contributed 2 hits and an RBI as well.  Jeff Stone pitched the final three innings and allowed only one baserunner to earn a save.
TIGERS RALLY TO BEAT ORIOLES, 7-4 -- Jason Millar's two-out, two-run single in the 8th inning broke a 4-4 tie and lifted the Albion Tigers to a comeback victory over the Orfordville Orioles on Sunday.  The hit was Millar's second run-scoring hit of the day: he also contributed an RBI single in Albion's 3-run fourth inning.  Catcher Matt Millar also had a big day offensively for the Tigers, with three hits and three runs, including the game-tying run that set the stage for his brother's eighth inning single.  The Tigers were able to stay in the game thanks to another solid performance from pitchers Mike Nanstad and Ben Everson.  Nanstad went six innings and struck out six, while Everson earned the win by throwing three scoreless innings in relief.  Everson allowed only one baserunner, and has now thrown fifteen consecutive innings without allowing an earned run. 
TIGERS OVERWHELM DEERFIELD -- The Albion Tigers scored nine runs in the second inning on Sunday and never looked back as they cruised to a 13-0 win over the Deerfield Demons.  The offense was a twelve-hit balanced attack, with Jesse Appel, Jason Millar, Ethan Vaade, and Marty Johnson each contributing two-RBI performances for the Tigers.  Johnson, a Home Talent League All-Star selection, led the way with two RBI doubles in the nine-run second for Albion.  On the mound, Ben Everson and Aaron Laskowski combined to throw a one-hitter, each striking out four.  Everson got the win by going five innings, allowing only an infield hit and walking none.  Laskowski also allowed only one baserunner, on a two-out walk in the sixth.
SCHMELING SHUTS DOWN MCFARLAND -- Just when his team needed it the most, Casey Schmeling turned in the best pitching performance of his young Albion Tigers career and led the Tigers to a 5-1 victory in a Night League game against McFarland on Thursday.  On a night when he was the only healthy and available starting pitcher, Schmeling allowed just one run and six hits in a complete game effort, striking out 3 while walking only 2.
Offensively, Marty Johnson led the way with RBIs in the first and fourth innings, and also scored in the fourth on Jim Eastman's RBI single.  Jesse Appel and Aaron Manogue added RBIs in the 6th to cap the scoring for the Tigers. 
BATS, NANSTAD ROLL AS TIGERS BEAT JAYS -- Mike Nanstad was his usual self on Sunday, striking out ten and allowing only 3 earned runs while gaining a complete game victory.  However, the story of the day for the Albion Tigers was the offense - a balanced and consistent attack that led to a 11-4 victory over the host Evansville Jays.  The Tigers banged out 13 hits, including 5 doubles.  Ten different players had base hits and eight players had RBIs for the Tigers.  Marty Johnson, Jason Millar, and Jim Eastman each had two hits and scored two runs for the Tigers, while Jeff Stone chipped with two hits and two RBIs of his own.  
TIGERS TAKE NL GAME AT FORT -- The Albion Tigers got back to their winning ways Thursday night with a 5-2 win at Fort Atkinson.  The Albion offense started with a bang, scoring three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Jesse Appel's RBI double and Jason Millar's 2-run single.  Albion would add another run in the third when Millar led off with a double and eventually scored on Jeff Stone's sacrifice fly.  Brian Towns added an RBI single in the sixth to cap the scoring for the Tigers.  That would be all the offense needed, as three Tiger pitchers combined to allow only two unearned runs.  Starter Aaron Manogue threw three innings, then was followed by lefty Jeff Stone and Mike Nanstad, who each threw two scoreless innings. 
TIGERS TAME MUSTANGS -- The Albion Tigers have played by the same rules for several years, and it has served them well: Pitch well, play defense, and wait for a timely hit.  In their season opening game Sunday against Mazomanie it was more of the same as the Tigers cruised to an 8-1 victory in a preseason tournament game played at Ashton.  Ben Everson, Mike Nanstad, Aaron Manogue, and Jeff Stone combined to allow only one run, while their teammates played nearly flawless defense behind them.  Along with the theme of "more of the same," the offense was led by veteran centerfielder Jesse Appel.  Appel reached base in all four plate appearances, scored two runs, and hit a home run in the fourth inning that provided all the offense the Tigers needed to hold off the Mustangs.  Second-year leftfielder Corey Vickers chipped in with RBIs in the third and fifth innings.

NANSTAD HONORED AT HTL BANQUET -- Albion ace Mike Nanstad was honored with the Kendall Murray Award as the league's outstanding pitcher Sunday night at the Home Talent League Awards Banquet in Waunakee.  The award is presented annually to a "dominant pitcher and outstanding leader" in memory of Kendall Murray, a UW-Platteville legend and Dodgeville Home Talent standout who died tragically in an auto accident in 1973.  Nanstad is Albion's second recent winner of the award, as lefty teammate Ben Everson won the honor in 2004.  On the season Nanstad was absolutely dominant, posting a 9-1 record and recording one save in his 13 appearances, including three complete games.  He threw 76 2/3 innings, striking out 99 while only walking 17.  His 1.29 ERA led the Tigers to a 12-3 record in the Southeast Section and their fourth straight playoff appearance.
GENERALS END TIGERS' SEASON FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR -- The Fort Atkinson Generals have become a hump that the Albion Tigers just cannot get over.  Last year, the Generals defeated the Tigers in Albion in the Southeast Sectional final and rode that momentum all the way to the league title game.  This year, it was a different park (Jones Park in Fort) and a closer game (a 2-1 Generals win), but the results were the same - the Generals are moving on and will face Lake Mills in next week's sectional final while the Tigers will be headed home.  The Tigers finish their year with a 12-3 record in the Southeast Section, good for second place in the West division and their fourth straight playoff appearance. 
TIGERS SHUTOUT GRAYS; CLIMB TO 12-3 -- The Albion Tigers hosted a matchup of playoff contenders on Sunday, and responded with a 10-0 thrashing of the visiting Lake Mills Grays. Starting pitcher Ben Everson struck out 5 on his way to 5 scoreless innings and his first win of the year. The Tigers are now 12-3 and have clinched second place in the West Division of the Southeast Section. The Grays fell to 10-5, and remain in second place in the East Division.  The Tigers pounded out 12 hits as a team and rode Marty Johnson's 2-run double to a 4-run first inning and never looked back. The top 4 hitters in Albion's lineup (Max Cordio, Jesse Appel, Ethan Vaade, Kris Agnew) each had multiple hits, led by Agnew's 3-hit, 2 RBI effort.   
ALBION BEATS STOUGHTON 11-2; CLINCHES PLAYOFF SPOT -- The Albion Tigers rode the capable left arms of Kris Agnew and Ben Everson and clinched their fourth straight playoff berth with a 11-2 win at Stoughton on Sunday. The veteran lefties combined to throw eight innings and allow only two runs, both unearned. Aaron Manogue threw a scoreless 9th to close out Albion's 11th win in 12 games.  After falling behind 2-1 in the bottom of the third, Albion took the lead for good with a 5-run 4th. A bases-loaded RBI single by Aaron Manogue tied the game, then Max Cordio and Ethan Vaade had back-to-back 2-run singles to give the Tigers a 4-run lead.
NANSTAD RUNS RECORD TO 9-0, STRIKES OUT 16 -- Albion's Mike Nanstad had his best day of the year on the mound and at the plate in leading the Tigers to a dominating 7-0 win over the Jefferson Blue Devils on Saturday. On the mound Nanstad threw a complete game shutout, struck out 16, walked none, and allowed only 3 hits. At the plate he collected 2 hits, including a double, and drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single in the 2nd inning.  The Tigers also got major offensive contributions from left-fielder Aaron Manogue, who had 4 RBIs including a 2-run single in the 4th. Adding key extra-base hits to the mix for Albion were Jim Eastman, Dan Millar, and Jesse Appel, while Jason Millar had 2 hits as well.
TIGERS BEAT O'S 12-7 -- The Albion Tigers have been living on pitching all year long, but it was the Albion offense that provided the Independence Day fireworks in a 12-7 victory over the Orfordville Orioles at Racetrack Park. Kris Agnew and Marty Johnson led the way for the Tigers, each collecting 3 hits and multiple RBIs. Agnew also scored 3 runs and got the Tigers on the board with a leadoff home run in the second. Johnson had 3 RBIs of his own, including a key single in the decisive 5-run 7th for Albion. Jesse Appel also had 3 hits, while Max Cordio and Jason Millar each added 2 hits as well.  Starting pitcher Ben Everson held the Orioles in check over the first 6 innings, allowing only 1 earned run and striking out 4. However, it was reliever Mike Nanstad who earned his 8th victory of the year by throwing a solid 7th and 8th innings. Agnew threw a perfect 9th to nail down the win for the Tigers, who are now 9-1 on the year and remain in first place in the Southeast Section's West Division.
NANSTAD, TIGERS ROLL OVER JAYS 5-1 -- The Evansville Jays became the latest victims of Mike Nanstad's roll through the Southeast Section on Sunday, falling 5-1 to the host Tigers. Nanstad went 8 innings for the win, striking out 10 while allowing only 4 hits and 1 earned run along the way. Nanstad earned his 7th victory in as many decisions and maintains an ERA of under 1.00 for the season.  The Albion offense was once again a balanced attack, with Max Cordio going 3x5 with 2 RBIs to lead the way. Jesse Appel and Jim Eastman chipped in with two hits apiece to help the Tigers run their section record to 8-1.
TIGERS WIN 4-3; REGAIN TOP SPOT -- The Albion Tigers regained a share of first place in their division Sunday with a 4-3 win over Deerfield. As usual, the story for Albion was pitching, with Mike Nanstad going the distance and striking out 14 Demons while walking only two. After a rough first inning in which he allowed 4 hits and 2 runs, Nanstad settled down and allowed only one hit and one unearned run the rest of the way.
Despite sputtering at times, the Albion offense got on the board in the 3rd when Kris Agnew took a bases-loaded walk, then drew even in the 4th on Max Cordio's sacrifice fly. Pete Millar's RBI single in the 5th and Ethan Vaade's sacrifice fly in the 8th provided the runs needed to support Nanstad's gem and run Albion's record in sectional play to 7-1.
TIGERS BEAT ORIOLES 3-2 TO REMAIN UNBEATEN -- The Albion Tigers used some opportunistic offense and another outstanding pitching performance Sunday to beat the host Orfordville Orioles 3-2 at Purdy Park. Once again, the Tigers were led by Mike Nanstad, who struck out 13 while walking only one over the first six innings to earn his fifth win of the year.  Albion took the lead with two unearned runs in the third inning, one on an RBI single by Jason Millar. The Tigers then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the sixth when Marty Johnson singled, was bunted to second by Casey Schmeling, and then scored on a throwing error. Three solid innings of relief from Ben Everson and Kris Agnew made the lead hold up, running the Tigers' league record to 6-0.
ALBION WINS 9-1 AS AGNEW SHUTS DOWN JAYS -- The Albion Tigers got another dominant pitching performance, this time from left-hander Kris Agnew, and beat the Evansville Jays 9-1 on Memorial Day in Evansville. Agnew went the distance, allowing seven hits and only one run while striking out 13 and earning his first win of the year in league play. Albion is now 5-0 in Southeast Section play, and sits in first place in the West division.  The Tigers got another ensemble performance from their offense as well, with six different players picking up RBIs, including 3 from Pete Millar and 2 from Max Cordio. First baseman Ethan Vaade went 3x3, and is now batting .737 in league play.
NANSTAD DOMINATES; ALBION GOES 4-0 -- Mike Nanstad continued his dynamic start to the Home Talent League season by leading Albion to a 5-1 victory over the homestanding Whitewater Swingers on Sunday. Nanstad, now 4-0 on the year, went the distance while allowing only three hits, two walks, and one unearned run. Nanstad also had nine strikeouts, and dropped his ERA to under 1 run for the year.  Offensively, the opportunistic Tigers got 2 runs in the third when Pete Millar's RBI ground ball was compounded by a throwing error. Millar struck again in the fifth with another RBI, and two batters later Jim Eastman drove in Kris Agnew with a sacrifice fly to left. Corey Vickers added an RBI for Albion in the ninth to provide the final margin.
TIGERS BEAT COLTS 9-3 -- The Albion Tigers continued their winning ways and improved to 3-0 in league play with a 9-3 win over the Oregon Colts Sunday in Albion Park. Once again the Tiger pitchers set the tone, with starter Mike Nanstad and Kris Agnew combining for nine strikeouts and allowing only one earned run. Nanstad is now 3-0 on the season, while Agnew threw two scoreless frames to pick up his second save.  The Tigers relied on two big innings in overcoming an early 2-0 deficit. A four-run fifth, highlighted by Aaron Manogue's two-run double, got the Tigers into the lead. A five-run eighth inning was highlighted by Jeff Stone's three-run double to put the game out of reach. Stone and Manogue each finished with two hits, while Ethan Vaade went 3x4 with 2 RBIs.
TIGERS SHUTOUT BLUES 10-0 -- One week after surrendering ten hits and eight runs, the Albion Tiger pitching staff returned to form Sunday afternoon in shutting out the visiting Cambridge Blues. Mike Nanstad and Ben Everson combined for eleven strikeouts and issued only one walk in a game that was shortened to seven innings due to the Tigers ten run lead. Nanstad earned his second win in as many weeks.  At the plate, the balanced Tiger offense was paced by a trio of familiar faces. Pete Millar, Jason Millar, and 2006 Southeast Section MVP Jesse Appel combined for six hits and five RBIs, including Jason Millar's bases-clearing triple in the second inning that gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead.
TIGERS OUTLAST MERCHANTS; WIN OPENER 11-8 -- The Albion Tigers started their 2007 season off with a bang on Sunday with an 11-8 defeat of the visiting Stoughton Merchants. The Tigers scored eight runs in the first three innings, never trailed, and banged out 15 hits for the game. Ethan Vaade led the way at the plate for the Tigers, going 5x5 while driving in four runs and scoring three himself. Pete Millar added three RBIs while going 2x4, while Kris Agnew and Jason Millar also collected two hits apiece.  On the mound, Mike Nanstad earned the win in relief of starter Ben Everson. Agnew threw two scoreless innings to record his first save of the season.