Softball: Packers run comes to an end after loss to KoMets
Published 10:09 pm Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Austin third baseman Brandi Myers gets the tag on Stewartville’s Carlie Hildebrandt as both dived back to the bag during their Section 1AAA Tournament game Wednesday at Todd Park. Eric johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The No. 6 seeded Austin softball team finished its season on a strong note, but it all came to an end when the Packers were knocked off by No. 2 Kasson-Mantorville 11-1 in five innings in a Section 1AAA elimination game in Todd Park Wednesday.
Austin’s Taylor Derry collides with Stewartville catcher Amanda O’Connell Wednesday night during the Section 1AAA Tournament at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin (7-17 overall) had knocked off Stewartville (12-8 overall) 11-3 to start the day after it had trailed 3-0 to start the game. Austin scored three runs in the second and three runs in the third inning to take over that contest as sophomore pitcher Hannah Rasmussen picked up her third straight win.
Rasmussen, who is one of three sophomores in Austin’s lineup, said the postseason run was a positive experience for the Packers.
“It’s been good winning three games after not winning very many during the regular season,” she said. “I think we [sophomores] stepped it up this year and did what we needed to for the team.”
Austin head coach Al Eckmann was pleased with what Rasmussen gave the team in the circle this past week.
“We told her that she’s going to have to get it done for us. She did a good job,” he said. “She got up there and gutted it out and I think she matured a lot. That’s going to help us out in the future.”
The Packers struggled early on against the KoMets (18-6 overall) as KM’s MiKayla Grant drilled a two-run homer in the first inning to put her team up 3-0.
Despite having its season come to an end, the Packers were one of the last three Section 1AAA teams playing and they won nearly as many games in the postseason (3) as they did the entire regular season (4).
“It was fantastic. We were seeded sixth and we probably could’ve been lower,” Eckmann said. “We came back to finish third and we beat some teams that played really well. I’m proud of them. We aren’t in the state tournament, but we did well.”
Stewartville 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 5 3
Austin 0 3 3 0 2 3 X — 11 12 0
Austin pitcher Hannah Rasmussen looks home as she pitches against Stewartville in the Section 1AAA Tournament Wednesday night at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin pitching: Hannah Rasmussen (W) 7 IP, 5 H, 5 BB, 3 R, 1 HBP, 1 K
Austin hitting: Brooke Pazurek, 0-for-2, 2 BBs; Addison Medgarden, 1-for-4; Shayley Vesel, 2-for-4, R; Jordan Huntley, 1-for-3, R; Brandi Myers, 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 R; Kelsey Sederquest, 2-for-4, 3 R; Jaidyn Bastian, 1-for-4; Taylor Derry, 1-for-4, RBI; Halie Retterath, 1-for-4, double, 2 RBIs
Austin 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 3 2
KM 4 2 0 4 X — 11 15 0
Austin pitching: Rasmussen (L) 2 1/3 IP, 9 H, 1 BB, 6 R; Tori Garnder, 1 2/3 IP, 6 H, 4 R
Austin hitting: Pazurek, 0-for-2; Medgarden, 0-for-2; Vesel, 0-for-2; Huntely, 1-for-2, double, R; Myers, 1-for-2; Sederquest, 0-for-2; Bastian, 0-for-2; Derry, 1-for-1, RBI, BB; Retterath, 0-for-1, BB; Jessi Peil, 0-for-1; Courtney Kusick, 0-for-1
