Softball: Panthers sweep Packers in season opener
Published 8:49 pm Thursday, March 30, 2017
- Austin’s left field Justine Reimers covers third during game one of a doubleheader Thursday at the Wescott Athletic Complex dome against Rochester Century. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
After a rough start in game one, the Austin softball team settled down in the second game of a season opening doubleheader, but it still ended up on the short end of the score in both contests against Rochester Century in the Dome at Wescott Athletic Complex Thursday.
The Panthers (2-0 overall, 2-0 Big Nine) came up with a sweep when they won 14-0 in five innings and 6-5 in the nightcap.
Austin catcher Courtney Kusick looks the ball in on a play at the plate against Rochester Century Thursday afternoon under the Wescott Athletic Field dome. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Packers had a chance to tie or win the second game, but Hannah McMasters grounded out with runners on first and third in the bottom of the seventh. Century scored two runs in the top of the seventh off an error and a two-out go-ahead RBI double by Emma Kartheiser.
“I thought we played pretty well and you’ve got to give them credit for coming back,” Austin head coach Al Eckmann said. “It was a heck of a softball game.”
Austin (0-2 overall, 0-2 Big Nine) took a 5-4 lead on Century when Justine Reimers and Halie Retterath each knocked in a run in the fourth inning, but it wasn’t able to hold on. The Packers certainly played better in the second game after they committed eight errors in the opening loss.
Austin’s Hannah Rasmussen delivers early in game one against Rochester Century Thursday afternoon at the Wescott Athletic Field dome. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Eckmann said he thinks his team is closer to the one that played in the second game than the first game.
“That’s the team I’ve seen in practice,” Eckmann said about the effort in the second game. “We did the things we were supposed to do. The first game, that’s history. It’s just one of those things were you’ve got to get the nerves out and get it over with.”
Hannah Rasmussen pitched all 12 innings on the day for the Packers Jenna Braaten went 2-for-5 with an RBI on the day and McMasters went 2-for-4 with an RBI in the second game.
“I’d like to get two wins, but we’re learning and we’re young and that’s to be expected,” Eckmann said. “I can’t say enough about these kids, they’re just a fun bunch to be around. I’ve coached a lot of years and these kids are some of the nicest kids I’ve ever coached.”
Austin’s Taylor Derry swings on a pitch during the first game of a doubleheader against Rochester Century Thursday afternoon under the Wescott Athletic Complex dome. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Century 0 9 1 0 4 — 14 15 0
Austin 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 2 8
Austin pitching: Hannah Rasmussen (L) 5 IP, 15 H, 2 BB, 14 R, 10 ER, 2 K
Austin hitting: Halie Retterath, 0-for-2; Taylor Derry, 0-for-2; Adison Medgaarden, 0-for-2; Hannah McMasters, 0-for-2; Courtney Kusick, 0-for-2; Jenna Braaten, 1-for-2; Kyra Walters, 0-for-2; Hannah Biwer, 0-for-2; Justine Reimers, 1-for-1, SB
Century 0 2 1 1 0 0 2 — 6 11 2
Austin 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 5 7 2
Austin pitching: Rasmussen (L) 7 IP, 11 H, 3 BB, 6 R, 4 ER, 6 K
Austin hitting: Retterath, 1-for-3, RBI, BB; Derry, 0-for-4; Medgaarden, 0-for-3, R, SB, BB; McMasters, 2-for-4, RBI, R; Braaten, 1-for-3, RBI, R; Kusick, 2-for-3, RBI; Walters, 1-for-3, R; Biwer, 0-for-2, BB; Reimers, 0-for-3, RBI; Elizabeth Christianson, R
