The Packers are burning up Todd Park for the second year in a row.

Tuesday, May 30, 2000

The Packers are burning up Todd Park for the second year in a row.

On Monday afternoon the third- seeded Packers took care of the second-seeded and 18-5 Farmington Tigers 5-1 in the winner’s bracket semifinals of the Section 1AAA tourney.

The win puts the Packers two wins away from a second straight trip to state.

After three scoreless innings, Farmington sophomore shortstop Melissa Murnane put the Tigers on top with a solo home run over the centerfield fence. It was her seventh home run of the year.

"All I know is that the pitch was low," Murnane said. "Low and inside, I love it (in that location)."

After that big hit, Austin freshman pitcher Amy Kelly again went about her business, retiring 12 of the last 13 batters she faced. The only moment of danger came in the top of the sixth with two out and a runner on first and Murnane again at the plate.

"I was not going to give her anything," Kelly said. "Inside, change ups, nothing outside."

"We adjusted our approach to pitching to her (Murnane)," Austin coach Todd Waterbury said. "She has really strong wrists. We wanted to see if she could get around on hard inside pitches."

Murnane grounded out to third on a full-count change up from Kelly.

The Austin offense responded to Murnane’s big clout with a two-run bottom of the fourth. Lauren Feller started the rally off with a hard shot that the third baseman could only knock down. Brooke Gentzler then smacked a rope to left center for a double to put runners on second and third. Megan Olsen then singled them both home to put Austin up 2-1.

"I got my pitch," Olsen said. "We needed to put the home run behind us and start getting fired up."

After the two-run Austin fourth Farmington left-handed starter Melissa Langer was relieved by righty Kelly Kimmerling.

Kimmerling struck out two in a one-two-three fifth inning. But with one out in the sixth, Feller smashed one right back to her that hit Kimmerling.

"Lauren hitting the ball off the pitcher’s head shook her (Kimmerling) up," Olsen said. "We started to knock the ball around off her after that."

First Gentzler was safe on a fielder’s choice. Olsen then doubled down the third base line.

"That was a big hit," Waterbury said.

Jamie Nieland followed with a single to center. She advanced to second on a throw to the plate, Olsen stopped at third. Gina Golberg then brought two runs home on a single up the middle.

"We took batting practice at Ellis this morning," Waterbury said. "Golberg was drilling the ball over there and that made it more sure that she would be in the batting order.

"She has had a good tournament."

She was 3-for-3 against Red Wing with a double.

The Packers (16-7) next face the Eagan Wildcats on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Wildcats shutout Mayo 5-0 in the other semifinals game.