Lyle/Pacelli scored 31 runs in three games at Saturday’s LaCrescent Tournament.

Tuesday, May 16, 2000

Lyle/Pacelli scored 31 runs in three games at Saturday’s LaCrescent Tournament.

But before the Lyle/Pacelli offense got a chance to unwind, Onalaska (Wis.) served L/P a 3-1 setback that took 15 innings to decide.

That sent L/P into the consolation bracket, which L/P treated unkindly as it battered Mabel-Canton, 16-2, then Rushford-Peterson, 14-6.

L/P (14-4, 12-1 in the Southeast Conference) plays today at Houston. If L/P wins, it wins the SEC outright; if Houston wins, the two teams share the SEC crown.

"We played a good tournament," L/P coach Tom Clements said. "We just didn’t hit the ball in that first game."

L/P stranded 14 baserunners in 15 innings against Onalaska, spoiling senior starter Melissa Ehret’s 10-hit, five strikeout effort on the mound.

Onalaska scored the winning runs in the top of the 15th after a L/P error was followed by a double and single.

Amy Bickler started the final two games for L/P, striking out 21 – 11 against Mabel-Canton and 10 against Rushford-Peterson.

"She’s definitely a big part of the future of L/P softball," Clements said of the sophomore hurler.

L/P walked 14 times off Mabel-Canton pitching. Bickler tossed a four hitter and tossed in a double at the plate.

Tammy May had two hits and two walks, reaching in every plate appearance.

Erin Evans went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI. Joni Sheedy added a pair of RBI.

Against Rushford-Peterson, Bickler wen 2-for-4 with three RBI and a triple, Sheedy 2-for-5 with 3 RBI, and Evans 4-for-5 with an RBI.

Against Onalaska, Sheedy went 3-for-6 with a triple, May 2-for-5 with an RBI.

Entering Monday’s pressure-filled game against Houston, Clements couldn’t help but talk about his pitching, which he believes is set-up for the postseason.

Ehret boasts a 1.75 earned run average, and her understudy, Bickler, lowered her’s to 1.69 ERA with Saturday’s two-win performance.

"That’s just what we need to help us finish up the season," Clements said.

Austin competes at Big Nine

The Austin boys’ tennis team members competed in Saturday’s Big Nine individual championships in Rochester.

The Packers, who finished seventh in the Big Nine regular season, played well, winning a handful of matches.

"We did about as well as we expected," Coach Deb Hoyt said.

Winona and Rochester Mayo placed the most players in championship matches.

The Packers begin the Section 1AA team playoffs on Tuesday against an as-yet-to-be-determined foe.

Austin results:

Singles

No. 1 – Andy Greenman

n loses to Shimal Chowdury of JM, 6-1, 6-1

n defeats Bonput Foxe of Mankato East, 6-1, 6-2

n loses to Stoik of Owatonna, 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 – Sam Drong

n loses to Brandon Peterson, 6-4, 6-2

n loses to Eric Giga of Owatonna, 6-1, 6-3

No. 3 – Eddie Mjoen

n defeats Colin McGuire of Mankato West, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4

n loses to Bryan Munson of Mayo, 6-0, 6-0

n loses to Tim Arnold of Century, 6-2, 7-5

No. 4 – Mark Jacobsen

n defeats Matt Miller, 7-5, 0-6, 7-5

n loses to Han Zeller, 7-5, 7-5

Doubles

No. 1 – Luke Reese and Paul Jacobsen

n defeat Wulf and Bohenstedt of Albert Lea, 6-2, 6-3

n lose to Terrones and Kraus of Owatonna, 6-2, 6-2

No. 2 – Mike Cavanaugh and Matt Raskin

n defeat Bohenstedt and Maynard of Albert Lea, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

n lose to Gilbert and Slarks of Owatonna, 6-4, 6-2

No. 3 – Jesse Morgan and Brian Larson

n lose to Arnold and Larson of Owatonna, 6-2, 6-1

n lose to Lee and Elwood of Century, 6-3, 6-3.