The Austin softball team kept its season alive in its Section 1AAA tournament opener in Hastings Wednesday.

The No. 10 seeded Packers knocked off No. 7 Rochester Century 4-2 and they lost to No. 2 Hastings 6-1.

The Packers will play in their first postseason game in Todd Park since 2009 when they play No. 6 Winona in an elimination game Friday at 4 p.m.

Austin senior Abbey Ball had a big day in the win over Century as she struck out nine and allowed just five hits. Ball also went 2-for-4 and she doubled in two runs in the top of the fifth inning as Austin (5-15 overall) took a 4-0 lead.

“The kids actually played very well today. They were pretty focused throughout the whole day and they did a nice job overall,” Austin head coach Cindy Owen said. “We’re pretty excited. For us to come and stay focused and get the job done was great. The kids played very well and we hung right in there and held our own.”

The Packers trailed Hastings 2-0 after three innings and the Raiders scored four runs in the fifth inning.

If Austin wins on Friday, it will play another elimination game at 6 p.m.

Austin 4, Century 2

Austin pitching: Abbey Ball (W) 7 IP, 5 H, 3 BB 2 R, 9 K

Austin hitting: Shayley Vesel, 1-for-4; Ball, 2-for-4, double, 2 RBIs; Brooke Pazurek, 1-for-3

Hastings 6, Austin 1

Austin pitching: Ball (L) 6 IP, 11 H, 1 BB, 6 R, 5 K

Austin hitting: Sydney Murphy, 1-for-3, RBI; Vesel, 1-for-3; Vanessa Halverson, 1-for-3