Luke Fischer rebounded in a big way for the Hayfield/Austin Athletics, striking out 14 in the A's 7-2 Twin Rivers League victory over Kasson Monday night at Marcusen Park.

Fischer, who was shelled in his start Friday night against the Rochester Blues, bounced back to have perhaps his best outing of the season. Fischer allowed three hits, two earned runs, three walks and two hit batsmen in the complete-game seven-inning victory.

"He threw a great game, it's the best game he's thrown all year," said Hayfield/Austin player/coach Troy Holtz. "He was probably throwing in the high 80s."

Fischer threw 106 pitches in the late-night heat, overcoming some early difficulty connecting with catcher Lee Aadahl. On the mound, Fischer felt no ill-effects from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a few games a week ago, but his running did suffer.

A pair of passed balls allowed Kasson's leadoff runner to move around and score in the top of the first inning.

Kasson led 2-0 before the A's scored three times in the bottom of the third. Newcomer Nick Bowe -- formerly of the Austin Merchants -- led off with a single, and was followed an out later by Adam Linbo with a single. Holtz slugged a two-run double to tie the score and came across one out later on a single by Aadahl.

Eric Schmeling added an RBI-single in the fourth, while singles by Jamie Beck, Justin Oakland and Joe Ciola accounted for two A's runs in the fifth.

All but one player in the Hayfield/Austin batting order had exactly one hit. Holtz had the only extra-base hit, while Oakland scored two A's runs.

The Athletics (8-15, 6-9) play their next four games on the road, starting Wednesday night at Stewartville against the Stewartville-Racine Sharks. The A's are scheduled to play Saturday at the Rochester Roadrunners and Sunday at Dodge Center, and a rescheduled game with Plainview is slated for Monday.

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

Linescore:

Kasson1010000--2

Hayf/Aus003220X--7