OWATONNA — The difference was in the distance.

While Austin shelled out 11 hits, Winona belted four homeruns and Post 91 had its season end in an 11-5 loss in the First District elimination round at Fuller Field Friday.

Despite Winona’s power hitting, Austin (7-19 overall) had a chance to take over the game in the top of the eighth after it loaded the bases with no outs when the game was 8-5. However, Brady Klingfus and Preston Higbe grounded into fielder’s choices and Josh Hart struck out to end the would-be rally.

“This game is kind of an anology of our season,” Post 91 manager Bob Stratton said. “We didn’t play so good and then we battled back and got them in a position where we could’ve K.O.’ed them. We just couldn’t get the big hit.”

Winona came out bashing as it jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. Aric Jaquart blasted a three-two pitch over the left field fence in the first inning to make it 3-0 and he added a two-out, two-run homer to make it 7-0 in the second inning.

Jordan Romine had a two-run homer in the second and a solo homerun in the sixth for Winona.

The bats of Mark Harber and Quinn Yocom helped bring Austin back into the game as Harber went four-for-five with a double and three RBIs and Yocom was four-for-five with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored.

“You just have to chip away. You can’t get all seven runs at once,” Harber said of his approach. “We kept getting rallies going and it seemed like every time Quinn and I came up something happened.”

Adam McMasters pitched well in relief for Post 91 as he held the LeJetz to just one run until they put up three runs in the eighth inning.

“The kids gritted their teeth and came back, I’m very proud of them.” Stratton said. “You can’t say enough about how Adam McMasters finessed their guys. I’m happy as you can be with a loss.”

Harber, who graduated from Austin High in 2009 and now plays at St. Schlolastica, showed vast improvements as a hitter this summer. He said he’s learned to not just swing at the first pitch and he’s put in some time in the weight room.

“This whole year I’ve worked on bat-speed and keeping my weight back,” Harber said. “The biggest key has been seeing more pitches and being more patient and finding a pitch I really like instead of a pitch I kind of like.”

Yocom, who will be a senior at Austin this school year, may also have a college baseball career ahead of him. He was one of 225 players around the country to recently receive a National Invitation to the USSSA All-American 17 and under Games Aug. 6-8 at the Osceola Sports Complex(Houston Astros Spring Training Facility) in Kissimmee, Florida.

Yocom was noticed after putting out solid performances at two baseball camps this summer.

Coming into his last at-bat, Winona’s Romine had four hits all season and all four hits were homeruns. He ended his long ball streak by laying down a bunt single to make it 9-5 in the eighth inning.

Austin 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 0 — 5 11 0

Winona 3 4 0 0 0 1 0 3 X — 11 15 2

Austin pitching: Joey Swatfager (L), 1 2/3 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 ER, 2 K; Adam McMasters, 6 2/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 K

Austin hitting: Mike Tindal, 1-for-5, double, R; Quinn Yocom, 4-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 R; Mark Harber, 4-for-5, double, 3 RBIs; Swatfager, 1-for-4; McMasters, 0-for-4; Brady Klingfus, 0-for-3, HBP; Preston Higbe, 0-for-3, BB; Josh Hart, 0-for-4; Jay Ettinger, 1-for-4, R

Winona pitching: Tom Kreidermacher (W), 7 1/3 IP, 8 H, BB, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 K

Winona hitting: Devon Grossell, 3-for-4, RBI, BB; Ryan Woodard, 2-for-4, RBI; Arik Jacquart, 2-for-5, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs; Scott Malotka, 0-for-4; Zach Benson, 0-for-3; Brandon Schmit, 2-for-3, BB; Brandon Beech, 1-for-3, double; Ethan Brackey, 2-for-4; Joradn Romine, 3-for-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs