Packers fall in the eighth
Published 8:28 pm Monday, April 18, 2011
Austin catcher Josh Hart holds the tag on a Northfield runner after a play at the plate to end the top of the sixth inning of Austin's 3-2 loss to Northfield at Dick Seltz Field Monday. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Austin baseball tallied its first runs of the season, but it wasn’t enough as it fell to Northfield 3-2 in eight innings at Dick Seltz Field Monday.
Northfield scored the deciding run in the top of the eighth, when Nick Bomhauser ripped a one-out double into right field to score a run.
But it was Austin’s shortcomings on offense that ultimately decided the contest.
The Packers (0-3 overall) struck out 15 times and four of them came with runners on scoring positon.
“I was disapointed with the situational hitting,” Austin head coach Troy Watkins said. “We struck out too many times where we could’ve scored a run or moved a runner over by making contact. We had opportunities and we did not take advantage of them.”
Austin pitcher Jacob Thompson goes through his motion against Northfield Monday. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Gabe Kasak singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning and he advanced to second a passed ball, but the next three Austin hitters went down in order without advancing him.
“We have a lot of work to do offensively,” Watkins said. “Guys just need to work hard, get in the cages and get their swings in.”
Austin took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Kasak, a sophomore, lined a two-run triple into right field on a one and two curve ball with one out.
“I was struggling with the fast ball and I was hoping that he was going to throw me a curve,” Kasak said. “I took advantage of it.”
Northfield (1-3 overall) quickly responded in the top of the sixth as they put together four straight two-out singles to score two runs. Austin center fielder Quinn Yocom kept the game tied by throwing a runner out at the plate to end the frame.
Austin junior Jacob Thompson pitched all eight innings. He allowed seven hits and walked just one, while striking out five.
“He threw strikes and he pitched well,” Watkins said. “If we can get that kind of an effort on the mound every time, we should win games.”
Northfield 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 — 3 7 2
Austin 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2 5 2
Austin pitching: Jacob Thompson (L), 8 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 3 ER, 6 K
Austin hitting: Marcus Stoulil, 1-for-4; Gabe Kasak, 2-for-4, triple, 2 RBIs; Jay Ettinger, 0-for-3, SB, BB; Anthony Condit, 0-for-4; Tyler Bellknap, 0-for-3; Aaron Goetz, 1-for-2, BB; Andrew Kaiser, 0-for-3; Josh Hart, 1-for-3, double; Adam May, 0-for-1; Quinn Yocom, 0-for-1, R, BB; Caleb Wahlen, R; Joe Rasso, 0-for-1
