The Austin bats have been struggling throughout the season and now the Packer softball team will have to cope without one of its biggest bats. Austin was held under four runs for the third time this season as it lost to Rochester Lourdes 7-1 in the Dome at Wescott Athletic Complex Friday.

Austin (1-4 overall) was playing the game without shortstop Jordyn McCormack and the junior slugger is expected to miss a month with an illness.

The Eagles (3-1 overall) grabbed a 3-0 lead when Ashley Krom and Sonya Schroeder each homered in the second inning, but Austin freshman Jaeda Beckaert held the Eagles scoreless for the next three frames to keep her team in it.

“They’re a great hitting team,” Austin head coach Lisa Lage said of Lourdes. “They swing the bat well and they hit the ball well. It’s hard for a young pitcher like Jaeda to stay in there when they’re getting big hits, but I thought she went out there and battled.”

Austin scored its lone run in the third inning when Erin Bickler singled and scored on an error.

While Austin missed McCormack’s bat in the lineup, sophomore Leslie Rodriguez filled in for her at shortstop and she played solid.

“I was very impressed,” Lage said of Rodriquez. “She has been practicing at second base, but she has good footwork and a strong arm. The more time she gets, the more confidence she’ll have.”

Lourdes  0 3 0  0 0 4  0  —  7  12  3 

Austin  0 0 1  0 0 0  0  —  1  3   1

Austin pitching: Jaeda Beckaert (L) 7 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 7 K

Austin hitting: Madisyn Retterath, 1-for-2, double, BB; Avery Thompson, 0-for-2; Hannah McMasters, 0-for-3; Beckaert, 0-for-3; Leslie Rodriguez, 0-for-3; Madisyn Busker, 0-for-2; Jenna Braaten, 1-for-3; Erin Bickler, 1-for-2, R; Alijha Richard, 0-for-2; McKenna Berg, 0-for-2; Emilee Lau, 0-for-1