Cold, rain, wind, and a tricky Winona team confounded the Austin baseball team yet again Thursday. A late Packer error helped the Winhawks squeak out a 2-0 win, spoiling the final regular season game of the year at Marcusen Park.

"There's no reason we should be shut out by Winona," said AHS head coach Troy Watkins. "We've given them a couple now this year.

"We just flat-out didn't hit the ball today."

The hard luck continues for Kyle Rizzi, who pitched superbly in another losing effort. He allowed only five hits while striking out seven and walking none, but two unearned runs in the sixth inning were costly.

The Packers have now scored a total of one run in his last three starts.

The only scoring of the game came in the sixth. A one-out single by pinch-hitter Adam Arnoldy got things started. With the hit-and-run on, Jason Pehler slapped it through the hole that opened up at second for another base hit.

Both runners advanced into scoring position on stolen bases, but Rizzi looked like he might escape another jam when he struck out Sam Cada for the second out. Rizzi got Andy Gappa to hit it in the air to shallow center, but Kroc couldn't make the catch as he raced out from shortstop while trying to avoid the late-charging Nate Johnson, and the ball dropped to score two runs.

"It would've been a tough play if either of them had been able to make it," Watkins said. "We were one play away again today."

Austin came right back in the bottom of the inning against Winona starter Tim Kruger, who had shut the Packers down up to that point. Johnson got a leadoff single, but he was still at first with two outs when Davis Lyon stepped in. The Packer cleanup hitter responded with his second single of the game, but Johnson was thrown out easily trying to go to third.

Kruger got two quick outs in the seventh before Sean Selmecki drew a walk. Marcus Ball followed with a fly ball to left that looked like the final out. Winona's Cada stumbled going back for it before righting himself and then dropping the ball anyway. Austin couldn't capitalize on this gift however, as Jordan VanProosdy grounded out to end the game.

Winona is now 5-9 in Big Nine Conference play and 5-10 overall, while Austin drops to 8-8 and 8-6 in the conference. The Packers hit the road for their last three of the season, beginning with Century Saturday at Mayo Field in Rochester.

Winona0000020--251

Austin0000000--051

WP--Kruger. LP--Rizzi (2-4).