The Austin Greyhounds punched their ticket to the Class B state amateur baseball tournament when they beat the No. 1 seeded Mankato Mets 8-2 in Mankato Friday.

Nels Nelson pitched the first six innings without allowing a hit and he struck out seven as he picked up the win for the Hounds. Matt Cano knocked in three runs for Austin.

The 16-team single elimination Class B state tournament will be held Aug. 23 to Sept. 1 in Jordan, Belle Plaine and LeSueur. The Hounds will play their first game at state Saturday at 11 a.m. against the Burnsville Bobcats in LaSueur.

Hounds pitching: Nels Nelson (W) 8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 R, 7 K

Hounds hitting: Nate Johnson, 1-for-3, double, 2 BBs, 2 R; Henry Fleek, 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 R; Matt Cano, 3-for-5, 3 RBIs; Jeremy Evans, 1-for-2, double, RBI, 1 R, 3 BBs; Andy Swank, 1-for-5; Tyler Leopold, 0-for-5, RBI; Gabe Kasak, 1-for-5, RBI; Zach SChara, 1-for-5, R; John Frein, 0-for-4, R, BB