Austin Packers baseball downs Albert Lea 3-1 in season opener Thursday

The Austin Packers baseball team, back under the tutleage of Head Coach Joe Kroc this 2021 season opened their season at Hayek Park in Albert Lea against the Tigers Thursday, and although the Packers were held to only one hit, they were still able to scratch out a a 3-1 win.

Bray Klapperick picked up the only hit for Austin in the game, and Brady Kominek was credited with two RBI’s as the Packers helped their cause by drawing seven walks.  Teyghan Hovland pitched the first five innings to earn the win on the mound for the Packers, giving up the one Albert Lea run on four hits, striking out nine and walking two, and Brady Kominek earned a two-inning save by giving up no runs on two hits, striking out three and issuing no walks.

Austin opens the season with a 1-0 record, and they will play their home opener Saturday afternoon against Winona at Dick Seltz Field at Riverland Community College.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.