The Austin baseball team put on one of its biggest hitting performances in recent memory as it blasted Mankato East 21-1 in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader, but the Packers lost the nightcap 9-3 at Dick Seltz Stadium Monday.

Austin (2-4 overall, 2-4 Big Nine) jumped out to a 13-0 lead after two innings in the first game against the Cougars (1-4 overall, 1-3 Big Nine), which allowed pitcher Nik Gasner to leave the game after just two innings.

“We have six games this week, so I figured we’d get Nik some rest,” Austin head coach Troy Watkins said. “It was a big first inning for us and it was great to get off to that kind of start.”

Gasner and Steven Clennon combined for a no-hitter in the win and Gabe Kasak, Marcus Stoulil and Gasner all knocked in four runs each in the win.

The Packers fell behind 3-0 in the first inning of the nightcap.

“That start deflated us a little,” Watkins said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t carry the momentum from the first game.”

Austin 21, East 1

Austin pitching: Nik Gasner (W), 2 IP, 0 R, 3 K; Steven Clennon, 3 IP, 4 BB, 1 R

Austin hitting: Tommy Olmstead, 1-for-2, 4 R; Gabe Kasak, 3-for-3, 4 RBIs, 4 R; Marcus Stoulil, 3-for-5, 4 RBIs, 2 R; Nik Gasner, 4-for-4, triple, 3 RBIs; Zach Huntley, 2-for-4, 3 RBIs

East 9, Austin 3

Austin pitching: Isaac Schumacher (L), 4 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 6 ER, 3 K

Austin hitting: Kasak, 2-for-4, RBI; Stoulil, 2-for-4, triple, R