The Austin softball team lost its first two games at the Elks Invite in Todd Park, and the third game was suspended due to rain Friday.

Austin (2-8 overall) dropped the first game 5-0 to Saint Peter and the Packers fell to Simley 7-4 in the second round.

Defensive miscues played a major role in both losses. While the opening game was still scoreless, Austin would’ve had the Saints retired in order in the top of the fourth inning, but a throwing error on a bunt extended the inning and Saint Peter scored three unearned runs with two outs. In all, the Packers committed seven errors against St. Peter and four errors against Simley.

They had just one miscue in the first four innings in the rained out game against Dover/Eyota, which saw Austin leading 8-1 when it was held off.

“We talked about how the number of errors have been the biggest problem for us all season,” Austin head coach Steve Knox said. “But the last game was big for us to play defense like we can and set our tone for the rest of the season.”

St. Peter put the first game away when AnnMarie Brown hit a two-run shot in the top of the fifth.

Against Simley, Austin out-hit the Spartans 7-4, but Simley took advantage of some Austin miscues to jump out to a 5-0 lead.

The Packers battled back with three runs in the top of the fourth when the Packers opened the frame with three straight singles to set up Sara Sundberg, who hit a two-run single over the center fielder’s head. Another run scored on a throwing error by the Spartans, but Sundberg, who made the All-Tournament Team, couldn’t score from second as the next three Packers were retired in order.

“We started to come on a little bit in the second game and we made some plays,” Knox said. “They actually played like they wanted to be involved in the game. They played like a team and never gave up and I like that attitude.”

In the rained out game against D/E, Robin Arjes drilled a three run homer into left-center field.

The third round of the tournament was canceceled. Eden Prairie won the title and Mayo took second.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

St. Peter 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 5 6 2

Austin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 7

Austin pitching: Marie Clennon (L), 7 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 K

Austin hitting: Sara Sundberg, 2-for-3; Rachel Donovan, 1-for-3, double; Brandi Ruroden, 1-for-3

St. Peter pitching: Kami Smesmo (W), 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 9 K

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Austin 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 4 7 4

Simley 1 1 3 0 0 2 X 7 4 1

Austin pitching: Clennon (L), 5 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 R, 3 ER, HBP, K; Jenny Yocom, 1 IP, 0 R

Austin hitting: Sara Alms, 2-for-4, RBI, R; Kaycee Lukes, 2-for-3, R; Sundberg, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs; Katlynne Fisher, 0-for-3; Emily Bechel, 0-for-2; Ashley Crump, 1-for-3; Jolene Brody, 0-for-1; Ruroden, 0-for-3; Bri Mayer, 0-for-1, BB

Simley pitching: Beth Kadrlik (W), 7 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K

Simley hitting: Brianna Byers, 2-for-3, double; Kelsie Young, 1-for-2, RBI; Amber Busch, 1-for-3, RBI; Jordan Sheridan, 0-for-1, RBI

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Haley Buchanan, Eden Prairie

Megan Bye, Eden Prairie

Taylor Bye, Eden Prairie

Sara Sundberg, Austin

Sarah Bohlen, Mayo

Courtney Palmer, Mayo

Emily Jasperson, Mayo

Sam Gregory, Hill Murray

Lonni Thompson, Hill Murray

Tina Aarsvold, St. Peter

McKenzie Wenner, St. Peter

Kristin Thelen, John Marshall

Breanna Byers, Simley

Devin Curran, Dover/Eyota