The Austin baseball team (7-12 overall, 6-12 Big Nine) closed out its regular season with a 17-7 loss in Mankato East (5-15 overall) Tuesday.

The Packers were within 8-7 in the fourth inning, but the Cougars scored the last nine runs of the game.

“We just didn’t hit the ball very well,” Austin head coach Troy Watkins said. “They came to hit and we didn’t. We just couldn’t put the ball in play.”

Austin trailed 7-2 after two innings.

“We got behind early and that’s become a pattern with this team and we have to come ready to play,” Watkins said. “We certainly didn’t do that today.”

The Packers drew six walks in the game, but truck out nine times.

Austin will begin the Section 2AAA Tournament this Saturday.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Austin 0 2 1 4 0 0 0 7 4 2

East 3 4 0 1 4 4 X 17 17 1

Austin pitching: Adam Hemann (L), 1 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 R, 4 ER; Jake Schmit, 1 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 K; Dylan Monson, 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 2 ER; Brady Klingfus, 2/3 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 ER

Austin hitting: John Kirby, 2-of-2, R; Mark Harber, 1-of-2, RBI, R; Nate Wagner, 1-of-3, 4 RBIs