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With sophomores John Hemingson and Jamie Paul on base, senior Jordan Haag hit an RBI single to give the Dogs a 4-3 lead. Then senior Adam Kampsen hit his second homer of the game, and fifth of the year, a long drive to left-center that made the score 7-3.

The visiting Bulldogs (2-1) had taken a 2-0 lead in the third inning on Kampsen's two-run homer, but Annandale tied the score at 2-2 with two runs in the bottom of the third. Kampsen put the Dogs ahead 4-3 with an RBI groundout in the fifth inning, but two Bulldog errors allowed the Cardinals to tie the game with a run in the bottom of the sixth.

Junior Chris Beier earned the pitching victory for the Dogs, throwing a complete game. "Chris Beier threw excellent," said coach Brad Skoglund. "He got ahead of hitters. He went right at them."

Kampsen, meanwhile, led the hitting attack, knocking home six runs. He already has five homers this year. (He hit four last year.)

Skoglund attributed his power surge to increased strength and quicker bat speed, the result of lifting weights througout the fall and winter. If a pitcher makes a mistake to Kampsen, said Skoglund, he makes them pay.

The victory, over a subsection rival, was important for seeding, added Skoglund.

This week, the Dogs play a busy schedule. They hosted Benson on Monday and played at St. Cloud Cathedral on Tuesday.

On Thursday, the Dogs will host New London-Spicer, and on Saturday they will play in a tourney at Big Lake.

Next week, the Dogs will host Melrose on Tuesday, April 27.

Paynesville--	002	010	4	- 7	7	3
Annandale--	002	001	0	- 3	7	4

Paynesville - Batting: Adam Kampsen 2-4 HR-2 RBI-6; Jordan Haag 2-4 R-2 RBI; Adam Hemmesch 1-2 SB; Jamie Paul 1-3 R-2; John Hemingson 1-3 R; Pitching: (ip-h-r-er-bb-k) Chris Beier (W) (7-7-3-1-1-2).

Annandale - Batting: Ramsey Simons 2-3 2B R; Matt Brown 2-2 RBI; Pitching: (ip-h-r-er-bb-k) Justin McDermott (4-4-2-2-0-3); Brett Thompson (L) (3-3-5-3-1-0).

Albany 5, Paynesville 3
Albany scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to thwart a Paynesville rally and defeat the Bulldogs 5-3 in their conference opener on Thursday.

The visiting Bulldogs (0-1 in the WCC North) had rallied to tie the score at 3-3 with a run in the top of the fifth, but Albany broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run, two-out single to center.

Sophomore centerfielder Trent Hansen had the ball in his glove in a diving attempt to make the catch for the Bulldogs, but the ball jarred loose as Hansen hit the ground.

"Heckuva effort by Trent," said Skoglund. "It just goes to show that it's a game of inches."

The Dogs, rated tenth in the state, however, committed three errors, while Albany, rated third, played errorfree defense. The Dogs' errors allowed Albany to score three unearned runs. "Against good teams, you can't make mistakes," said Skoglund. "And we made a coupleÉthat really cost us."

After Albany took a 1-0 lead, the Dogs tied the score with two runs in the top of the fourth to take a brief 2-1 lead. Junior Mike Mueller singled and scored on an RBI double by senior Adam Hemmesch, who scored in turn on a single by Hemingson.

After Albany retook a 3-2 lead, with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, the Dogs tied the game at 3-3 with a run in the top of the fifth. Haag walked, stole second, and then scored on two passed balls.

Skoglund said the game, with fans for both team, with good pitching, with intensity on both sides, and with a close result, was like a playoff atmosphere.

The Dogs can expect more of these games in the WCC North, where five teams are rated in state.

Paynesville--	000	210	0	- 3	4	3
Albany--	010	202	x	- 5	5	0

Paynesville - Batting: Mike Mueller 1-2 R; Adam Hemmesch 1-3 2B R RBI; John Hemingson 1-3 RBI; Adam Kampsen 1-4; Pitching: (ip-h-r-er-bb-k) Kampsen (L) (6-5-5-2-1-3).

Albany - Batting: Ryan Mareck 2-3 R-2 SB-2; Nathan Craft 1-2 2B R-2; Randy Lockridge 1-3 RBI-2; Pitching: (ip-h-r-er-bb-k) Josh Harrison (5-4-3-2-4-2); Mareck (W) (2-0-0-0-1-1).