ROCHESTER – Ten total errors made for an ugly softball game.

Wednesday, May 02, 2001

ROCHESTER – Ten total errors made for an ugly softball game. But for the Austin Packers, it was still a win.

The Packers moved to 7-5 overall and 6-3 in Big Nine Conference play with its 4-1 victory at Rochester Mayo Tuesday night. Both teams committed five errors in the field as offense seemed hard to come by. The victory was Austin’s fifth straight in conference play.

The host Spartans stole an early lead with their only run coming in the bottom of the first inning. Mayo lead-off hitter Michelle Linbo reached second base after a throwing error, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored on a groundout by Jackie Schwanke.

Austin coach Todd Waterbury wasn’t concerned with trailing by one. Instead it was his team’s defense that bothered him.

"I was disappointed in the fact that we gave it to them," Waterbury said. "It didn’t set a very good tone. We always talk about getting out there and setting a good tone for the Packers."

"You never know what’s going to happen when you give a team an opportunity to think they can play with you."

But sophomore hurler Amy Kelly quickly spelled that chance for the Spartans. Kelly struck out seven while allowing only two hits and no walks throughout the remainder of the conference road game. In the fourth inning, protecting her team’s new 4-1 lead, Kelly struck out the side after the lead-off batter reached on an error.

Kelly’s bat also got things going for the Packers in the third. Her one-out single led to Austin’s three-run rally to take a 3-1 lead. Megan Olsen’s groundout moved Kelly and Melanie Gabrielson, who was hit by a pitch, into scoring position for Rhianna Jacobs. Jacobs was intentionally walked, and Jenna Cummins put the ball in play as Mayo committed one of its five errors to allow Kelly to score Austin’s first run.

Chelsea McColley followed with a two-run, two-out double to left. McColley finished 2-3 on the night, and Kelly led the way with a 3-4 plate performance. The duo accounted for all five of Austin’s hits.

The Packers added an insurance run in the fourth, keyed by the speed of Stacy Draayer. Draayer reached on an error and circled the bases when a fielder’s choice grounder off the bat of Kelly was thrown into right field.

"She’s got speed, which was obviously pretty big for us," Waterbury said of Draayer. "I think overall we have pretty good team speed this year."

The Packers put it all on the line on Thursday when they hope to avenge an earlier loss to Winona. Austin visits the Winhawks for a Big Nine contest at 5 p.m.

"Hopefully we can gel for Thursday and keep the conference streak alive," Waterbury added.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at sports@austindailyherald.com.