Legion softball’s new goal: Win Southern Minny

Published 12:00 am Monday, July 17, 2000

The bright spots were few and far between for the Austin American Legion Post 91 fast pitch softball team in its trip to Mankato.

Monday, July 17, 2000

The bright spots were few and far between for the Austin American Legion Post 91 fast pitch softball team in its trip to Mankato. At the Class A state tournament, Austin lost all three games they played. The best teams in the state play at the Class A level.

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St. Paul Harding beat Austin 5-2 in the first round of the tournament. Austin got RBIs from Laura Haas and Joni Sheedy. Austin had only three hits in the game. Harding got 10 hits off Amber Wilson. Wilson struck out one and walked two.

Austin committed five errors in the game. It was a start of a trend as Austin would commit five errors in each and every game they played during the weekend.

"It is hard to win ball games when you make mental and physical errors," Austin coach Denny Bray said.

Austin then lost 3-0 to Apple Valley. Austin got only two hits in the game – singles by Sheedy and Kellie Petersen.

Wilson gave up five hits while striking out one batter.

In the consolation bracket, Chaska ended Austin’s stay in Mankato with a 5-1 triumph. Wilson again was the pitcher of record. She gave up eight hits while walking two and striking out one.

Austin had seven hits in the game. Betsy Matheis was 2-for-3 with a double and Sheedy was 2-for-3 with the lone RBI.

"We got seven hits in that game," Bray said, "but our bats went to sleep the rest of the tournament. We rarely could get runners into scoring position."

Austin’s goal for the rest of the season will be to win the Southern Minny Conference regular season title. On Tuesday, Austin (20-11, 11-1) will be in Owatonna to play the Owatonna Knights of Columbus.