Packers use their defense to eliminate Falcons
Published 7:58 pm Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Austin’s Noah Dunlap rounds third base against the Falcons. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin catcher Benton Purkapile prepares to tag a Faribault runner out at home plate Tuesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Cooper Jacobsen turns a double play as Faribault’s Dominic Erickson in Seltz Field Tuesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Austin pitcher John Rollie undwinds a pitch against Faribault. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
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The No. 5 seeded Austin baseball team found its defensive groove just when it needed when it beat No. 8 Faribault (2-18 overall) 4-0 in a Section 1AAA elimination game in Seltz Field Tuesday.
The Packers (8-13 overall) turned two double plays, including a play where Jonah Klein threw a runner out to preserve a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning, and they committed zero errors.
“I think everybody stayed up instead of getting down in the dugout and we made the plays we were supposed to make,” said Austin senior Benton Purkapile, who also had an RBI. “Those double plays gave us a lot of confidence.”
John Rollie scattered four hits, four walks and two hit batters to score the shutout win for Austin and he also doubled in a run to put Austin up 1-0 in the second.
Austin head coach Jacob Nelson said the team spent some extra time focusing on defense before Tuesday’s game and it paid off for them.
“We had to break it down to the simple fundamentals of baseball so the kids could go back to having fun instead of thinking about making an error,” Nelson said. “They were loose and confident today, because we put the training in. Every time we play mistake free, we typically win those games and when we have three or more errors, we typically lose. I think we’re going to be in a great place with our confidence next game.”
Austin sophomore shortstop Cooper Jacobsen turned a double play on a ground ball in the first inning and he also singled in a run to put the Packers up 4-0 in the fifth. He said the team has found its confidence and they’re ready to compete when they play at No. 2 Red Wing in another elimination game at 5 p.m. Thursday.
“We stayed locked in today,” Jacobsen said. “We’re playing with a chip on our shoulder and we know we can beat any team.”
Faribault 000 000 0 – 0 4 2
Austin 010 021 X – 4 8 0
Austin pitching: John Rollie (W) 7 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 0 R, 6 K, 2 HBP
Austin hitting: Jonah Klein, 0-for-4; Benton Purkapile, 1-for-3, double, RBI; Noah Dunlap, 0-for-2, BB; Cooper Jacobsen, 1-for-3, RBI; Jason Denzer, 2-for-3, double, 2 R; Rollie, 2-for-3, double, RBI; Haydn Quitmeyer, 1-for-2, HBP; Cody Pedersen, 1-for-2, R; Dylan Wencl, 0-for-2, BB; Tyler Carter, 0-for-1, R; Rob Lillis, 0-for-1
