ROCHESTER — Solid pitching and clutch hitting by the Austin Packers girls softball team on Saturday finally put an end to a 12-game losing streak.
The visiting Packers swept both games of a Big Nine Conference doubleheader against the Rochester Century Panthers. Austin won by scores of 2-1 and 4-1 in the regular season finale.
"They were a couple of much needed wins for our team," Austin coach Tina Strauss said. "The girls have been battling hard to end the losing streak and we finally got it done in this doubleheader. Pulling out the first game gave us a lot of confidence and we were able to get the sweep."
Marie Clennon pitched all seven innings in the first game and got the mound win for the Packers. Her bat would also be a factor in a late rally.
The first run of the game came in the top of the first inning for the Packers. Kaycee Lukes singled and later scored on a base hit by Robin Arjes.
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It was then tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth, when the Packers scored the decisive run. Clennon doubled and Katelyn Joseph came on as a courtesy runner for the pitcher. Joseph then scored the winning run, when Bri Mayer reached on a Century error.
Jennifer Yocom started on the mound for the Packers in the late game and went four innings to get the win. Clennon would come on in relief and pitch three innings to get the save.
"They got two runners into scoring position in the fifth inning, then Marie came on to get three big outs and keep us in the lead," Strauss said. "This sweep was just what we needed, and it should give us some momentum heading into the section tournament."
Austin finished the regular season with a 5-15 record and plays in the first round of the Class AAA, Section One tournament on Wednesday. The seedings for the upcoming tournament come out today.
BIG NINE CONFERENCE
Austin 2, Century 1
(First game)
Austin ....... 100 001 0 — 2 8 1
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Century ..... 000 100 0 — 1 2 3
Austin:Robin Arjes 1-for-4, RBI; Marie Clennon 2-for-3, 2B; Sara Sundberg 2-for-3; Kaycee Lukes 1-for-3, run. WP: Marie Clennon 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K.
Century:Jenica Gerber 1-for-3; Jessica Goeke 1-for-3. LP: Amber Prow 7 IP, 2 R, 8 H, 0 BB, 4 K.
Austin 4, Century 1
(Second game)
Austin ....... 010 030 0 — 4 9 0
Century ..... 001 000 0 — 1 4 1
Austin:Rachel Donovan 1-for-3; Katlynne Fisher 2-for-4, run; Bri Mayer 1-for-3, RBI; Sara Sundberg 1-for-4, run; Robin Arjes 1-for-3 run; Brandi Ruroden 0-for-4, run; Ashley Crump 3-for-3, RBI. WP: Jenni Yocom 4 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 K. SV: Marie Clennon 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K.
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Century:Jenica Gerber 1-for-3; Alanna Battey 1-for-2, 2B.
