If the season opener is any inidication, the Austin softball team is looking good for 2002.

The Packers, paced by Amy Kelly's second career no-hitter, pounded visiting Faribault 8-1 in the season-opener for both teams Friday night at Todd Park.

Kelly cruised through the Falcon lineup before walking Rebekah Fitzgerald to break up the perfect game in the top of the fifth innning. Her no-hitter appeared to be in jeopardy when a grounder to the gap between third base and shortstop was mishandled by Stephanie Eslinger. Another error on a tough defensive play pushed Faribault's lone run across.

"I thought that first one was a hit," Kelly said, relieved to hear the no-hitter held intact. "I think I should have finished the game right away."

Faribault (0-1, 0-1) floundered at the plate, while the Packers pounded out seven runs on five hits in the bottom of the third.

"Weather can be an equalizer, but for the girls to come alive like that, that was the most rewarding part of my day," said Austin head coach Todd Waterbury. "They just let it sizzle.

"I think it's a good sign of things to come."

Senior second baseman Chelsea McColley opened the hit parade in the third with a one-out double, moving leadoff hitter Stacy Draayer, who had walked, to third. Kelly followed with a two-run double down the line, and sophomore catcher Keri Feller added an RBI-single one out later.

With two outs and a runner on, Eslinger doubled to the gap in left to drive in another run, and a two-out single by Betsy Hingeveld plated Nicole Turvey and Caitlin Jurgensen as the final Packer runs.

McColley had Austin's only hit after the third inning.

"For the first game I thought we really hit the ball well," Kelly said. "This team's always been a good hitting team … and they seem to come up with the big hits when we need it."

Kelly second career no-hitter came despite blustery winds and the temperature hovering around 30 degrees. The junior hurler one-hit Faribault in one of three meetings last year, with her first career no-hitter coming at the state tournament in 2000.

"We knew pitching was going to be our strength," Waterbury said. "This is a high standard we set today to build the rest of the season. I'm really happy with the way it started."

Austin (1-0, 1-0 Big Nine) continues its season with its first road game Thursday night, visiting Owatonna for a 4:30 p.m. start.

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