The Austin softball team capped a 2-1 week by putting together its third straight errorless performance and its second straight shutout on Thursday, when the Packers downed Winona, 4-0.

Friday, May 05, 2000

The Austin softball team capped a 2-1 week by putting together its third straight errorless performance and its second straight shutout on Thursday, when the Packers downed Winona, 4-0.

Once again, freshman hurler Amy Kelly led the way, pitching a two-hitter. In wins Wednesday and Thursday, she allowed five hits in 14 innings.

Winona coach Dave Heise watched his Winhawks (6-3 overall and in the Big Nine) become handcuffed by Kelly to the point that they didn’t get a runner to second base until the sixth inning.

"She really took the bats out of our hands," Heise said. "She dominated. That was the best pitching performance against us all year so far.

"I think we need to play more against that type of pitching."

That may be a problem, because you’re not going to find a Kelly around every corner.

On a handful of strikeouts, she threw a wicked changeup – "my favorite pitch," said Kelly – that baffled Winona’s hitters, making them wave at the ball long before it reached the plate.

After getting a three-ball count on three of the first five batters, Kelly settled down, establishing her well-above-average fastball.

"I think this was my best game," said Kelly, who improved to 6-3 on the season. "I was hitting my spots and getting them to hit it to our defense.

"Our defense is the reason we’re winning again."

Austin (7-6, 6-4 in the Big Nine) also added timely hitting in downing Winona.

The Packers scored three in the third. All three runs came with two outs. Leadoff batter Sara Turvey started the rally with a single and a steal of second.

Kelly followed with an RBI single to rightfield. Lauren Feller and Brooke Gentzler then made it four hits in a row. Gentzler’s sharp liner to center plated Kelly and Feller for a 3-0 lead. Austin added an unearned insurance run in the sixth.

Austin coach Todd Waterbury said he was proud of the way his team battled by rallying with two outs.

"It’s nice to see that fight," he said. "We talk about that, maintaining focus with two outs, two strikes, no matter what the situation is."

No Packer struck out in the game.

"Everybody put the ball in play," Waterbury said. "It’s a matter of building confidence in practice. We’re seeing the ball well. Everybody is battling one at bat at a time."

Austin travels to Winona on Monday to take on the Winhawks again, before returning home to play Faribault on Tuesday.