Austin's 14 hits was more than enough for the Packer softball team to score two runs in their 2-0 victory at Rochester Mayo Saturday, but a letdown on the offensive end led to Austin's first loss.

The Packers had just one hit in their trip to Winona, falling 1-0 to the Winhawks in Big Nine Conference softball.

Stacey Cichosz continued her short-term dominance of the Packers, striking out eight in the complete-game one hitter. Cichosz was the winning pitcher in Austin's trip to Winona last year, outdueling Amy Kelly for the victory.

"She's an average thrower, she's just a mystery to us," Austin coach Todd Waterbury said of Cichosz. "She did the same thing to us last year.

"We just didn't have the sticks."

Kelly tossed a four-hitter, striking out seven and walking none. The only Winona run was unearned to Kelly.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Winona's Kateeci O'Brien tripled to put the Winhawks in scoring position. A passed ball to the next hitter gave Winona the game-wining run.

Austin's primary opportunity to score came in the first inning, moving a runner to third base without any hits. Freshman Angie Rohne, playing in place of first baseman Nicole Turvey who was out sick, had the Packers' only hit.

"We go from 14 hits in the last game to one hit in this game, hopefully we find something in the middle for Thursday," Waterbury said.

Rochester Century comes to town Thursday for a 5 p.m. conference tilt. Austin (2-1, 2-1) goes to Owatonna on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. start time on a rescheduled game.

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

Linescore:

Austin0000000--012

Winona000001x--140

WP--Stacey Cichosz. LP--Amy Kelly (2-1). 3B--O'Brien.