A short porch came back to haunt the Hayfield/Austin Athletics at St. Charles Wednesday night. The home team hit a first-inning grand slam that travelled a mere 280 feet, but it proved to be the difference, as the A's ended up losing 7-3.

The Sting put up five runs in the first off A's starter Jon Severson, capped by the grand slam. He would settle down though, allowing just one hit over the next four innings.

Severson was relieved by Todd Taylor, who was making his first appearance of the year. He threw three more scoreless innings before giving up two late St. Charles runs in the ninth.

"We're finding our way right now, but we're getting there," said A's manager Joe Serratore. "By the time the playoffs roll around, we should be in good shape."

The 8-12 Athletics return home to Marcusen Park tonight, where they'll take on the Kasson Coyotes at 7:30 p.m.