The Austin softball team finished off its best season in a decade on a tough note as it was knocked out of the Section 1AAA tournament in a 9-1 loss to Northfield in Todd Park Thursday.

After being rained out Tuesday, the game started in the third inning with Northfield up 3-1 and the Raiders quickly pulled away as they hit a one-out grand slam to go up 7-1.

The Packers (13-10 overall) finished with the most wins they’ve had in a season since 2007.

“We wish we would’ve gone a little farther, but I think we ended up a lot better then we thought and other people thought about us too,” Austin sophomore catcher Jordyn McCormack said.

While Austin had a strong group of seniors this season, McCormack and eighth grade pitcher Jaeda Bekaert will be key returnees.

“Us younger kids will come back knowing the strengths of weaknesses of other teams and I think we’ll be able to take advantage of that,” McCormack said. “I think Jaeda really stepped up as the youngest girl and the youngest pitchers. She should be a threat to all of the other teams next year and the years after.”