What a difference a year makes.

The Packers weren’t able to finish off a big comeback, but they showed they can compete with Northfield in a 10-9 loss in a softball game under the dome at Wescott Athletic Complex Thursday.

The Raiders had beaten Austin 13-1 in last season’s meeting between the two teams and it looked like things might go that way again when Northfield (1-0 overall, 1-0 Big Nine) scored eight runs in the in the bottom of the third inning to go up 9-4.

This time the Packers (2-1 overall, 2-1 Big Nine) didn’t back down. Austin pulled to within 10-9 after it scored a pair of two-out runs in the sixth inning. Jordyn McCormack, who was three-for-four with a double and two RBIs, singled in a run to make it a 10-8 game and another run scored when Kyra Walters singled and Northfield committed a throwing error. The Packers had runners on second and third Jenna Braaten popped out to end the frame.

Austin senior shortstop Halie Retterath, who was two-for-three with an RBI, said the Packers have improved on mental toughness this season.

“The big difference from last year versus this year is that last year it was a tough loss [against Northfield],” Retterath said. “This year when we got down we were able to come back. That showed that we don’t give up and we’re a good team. Once we’re down, we have the ability to get back up.”

Austin scored three runs in the top of the fifth when Hannah McMasters doubled in a run and Austin was able to tack on two more runs with some aggressive base-running. The Packers stole three bases in the game and they also created some chaos in their favor by staying aggressive on the basepaths.

“I love the way we’re being aggressive, but it drives me crazy,” Austin head coach Al Eckmann said. “They take some chances, but they’ve got the speed to get it done. Let them go I guess. That might be one of our traits this year.”

Austin took a 4-1 lead in the top of the second inning when Hannah Biwer singled in two runs and Retterath and McCormack each singled in a run. The Raiders scored eight runs in the bottom of the third when they tallied six hits, including  three-run homer by Marissa Nelson, in the frame. Austin also committed two of its five errors in that frame.

“I thought we did a lot of things well again except we had the one bad inning and we can’t give them that many runs in an inning,” Eckmann said. “We’ve got to give them credit too because they hit the ball.”

Eighth grader Jaeda Bekaert had a strong showing in relief for Austin as she allowed zero earned runs in three and one-thirds of an inning.

With conditions outside continuing to be unplayable, the Packers will likely play two more games in the dome next week. Austin hosts Faribault at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and it will host Winona at 5 p.m. Thursday.

Austin 0 4 0  0 3 2  0  —   9   10  5

Northfield 1 0 8  1 0 0  X  —  10  13  1

Austin pitching: Kennedy Bradford (L) 2 2/3 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 3 K, 1 HBP; Jaeda Bekaert, 3 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 K

Austin hitting: Halie Retterath, 2-for-3, RBI, R, BB; Adison Medgaarden, 0-for-3, BB; Jordyn McCormack, 3-for-4, double, 2 RBIs, 2 R; Hannah McMasters, 1-for-4, double, RBI; Kyra Walters, 1-for-4; Jenna Braaten, 1-for-4, R; Avery Thompson, 1-for-3, R, BB; Hannah Biwer, 1-for-4, RBI, SB, R; Emilee Lau, 0-for-2, R, 2 BBs; Elizabeth Christenson, R; AJ Richards, 2 SB, R