The Austin baseball team lost its season opener 5-2 at Mankato West (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) Thursday.

The Packers (0-1 overall, 0-1 Big Nine) scored twice to go up 2-0 in the top of the sixth inning, but the Scarlets had an answer as they tallied five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

“We played incredible ball for five solid innings,” Austin head coach Chris Gogolewski said. “Things were going our way and our energy was up and then Mankato West came through with a big inning. It was a great way to start the season. We stuck with them for most of the game.”

Austin pitching: Nik Gasner (L), 5 1/3 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 5 ER, 5 K, 1 HBP; Steven Clennon, 2/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R

Austin hitting: Nik Gasner, 1-for-3; Jacob Kempen, 1-for-3, RBI; Shane Johannsen, 1-for-3