The bitter winds gusting through Todd Park could not keep the Austin softball team from taking the season sweep of Owatonna Thursday night, as the Packers posted an 11-1, five-inning victory.

Austin ended Owatonna's misery with one out in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs to reach the 10-run rule. The Packers pounded the Huskies in Owatonna, 9-0, in their first meeting.

"With the conditions, you do the best you can," said Austin coach Todd Waterbury. "I know we've had several practices in weather like this, and that helps you get ready for any kind of situation you can't control.

"Don't let the weather be the equalizer and hope the better team wins."

Austin rattled off seven runs in the bottom of the first inning to create an energetic atmosphere, running around the bases thanks to five walks and two Packer singles. Austin sent 13 batters to the plate in the first frame.

"We like being able to score first, and obviously that makes you a little more confident," Waterbury said, "helps you loosen up a bit and not feel any pressure.

"With the weather, we're very satisfied with the outcome."

Austin needed just five hits in the game to get the win, moving to 13-3 overall and 12-2 in the Big Nine Conference. The Packers host Winona today at 5 p.m. at Todd Park, hoping to avenge one of two league losses from earlier this season.

Leadoff hitter Kylene Erstad led Austin with a 2-3 plate performance, scoring twice and driving in a run. Betsy Hingeveld's bases-loaded double in the fifth drove in two runs, and she eventually scored the game-winner on a passed ball one out later. Hingeveld drove in a team-high three runs and also scored twice.

Meggan Rider and Keri Feller added Austin's other hits, and both drove in two runs with their first-inning singles.

Packer pitcher Amy Kelly struck out the side in the second and third innings and finished with seven total strikeouts. Kelly allowed three hits, no walks and one earned Owatonna run. The Huskies scored on back-to-back hits and Kelly's only wild pitch.

Boxscore:

PACKERS 11, HUSKIES 1

Owatonna (1)Austin (11)

abrhbiabrhbi

Conway rf3000Erstad 3b3221

Grass lf2000Hingevld cf2213

Knopp ss2110McClly 2b2100

Halla cf2010Kelly p3001

Edez c2000 Sndbrg cr0100

Drake 1b2000Eslinger ss3000

VonRuden p1000Feller c3112

O'Malley p1000Turvey 1b3100

Jirele 2b2000Rider lf2212

Schuster 3b2010Draayer dh2100

Jurgnsn rf0000

Totals19130Totals201159

Owatonna00010--132

Austin70004--1152

E--Knopp, O'Malley, Kelly, Eslinger. 2B--Halla, Hingeveld. SB--Knopp, Erstad, Draayer.

IPHRERBBSO

Owatonna

Von Ruden L227451

O'Malley2 1/334432

Austin

Kelly W,13-3531107

HBP--Rider (by O'Malley). WP--VonRuden 3, O'Malley 2, Kelly. PB--Edez.