Packers can’t catch a break in home loss to Spartans
Published 8:02 pm Wednesday, April 23, 2025
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Casey Denzer makes the throw from second base for the Packers. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Cooper Jacobsen takes a swing for the Packers against Rochester Mayo. Rocky Hulne/sports@austidailyherald.com
Benton Purkapile hits a ground ball in Seltz Field Wednesday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Noah Dunlap goes through his wind up for the Packers. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Austin baseball team had a tough time getting things going as it lost its fifth straight game in an 11-1 five-inning loss to Rochester Mayo in Seltz Field Wednesday.
Mayo padded its lead on an unusual circumstance in the third inning. Trailing 4-0, Austin pitcher Noah Dunlap struck out Mayo’s Liam Williams for what appeared to be the third out. But since the pitch was in the dirt and Williams wasn’t tagged, Williams was allowed to return to the field and run to first base after walking up to his dugout after Austin’s defense had already gone to their dugout. The Spartans tacked on three more runs to go up 7-0.
“It was just a giant debacle that didn’t need to happen. The umpires need to control the game better and then it turned into a snow ball effect that basically took our starting pitcher out of the game by giving them an extra three runs,” Austin head coach Jacob Nelson said. “It’s a different ball game if that doesn’t happen and the umpires decide to control the game. I’m not trying to blame the umpires; Mayo (6-3 overall) hit the ball and made plays, but there were a lot of unfortunate calls that happened to go the opposite direction for us. The general frustration for everybody kind of built up throughout the game.”
Dunlap had pitched 14 innings without allowing an earned run to start the season before the Spartans took a 2-0 lead on a two-run double by Rochester as all Gavin Werneburg.
“Noah is one that’s going to be able to battle through adversity, tough calls and tough innings,” Nelson said. “That’s why he’s pitched the most innings on our team so far. He’s the most reliable guy we have and we trust him the most.”
The Packers (1-5 overall) got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning when Rob Lillis drew a bases loaded walk.
Mayo 025 13 – 11 10 0
Austin 000 01 – 1 4 2
Austin pitching: Noah Dunlap (L) 3 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 5 K, 8 ER, HBP; John Rolie, 2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 K
Austin hitting: Casey Denzer, 0-for-2, BB; Benton Purkapile, 0-for-1, HBP; Dunlap, 2-for-3; Rob Lillis, 0-for-2, BB, RBI; Haydn Quitmeyer, 0-for-2; Cooper Jacobsen, HBP; Jonah Klein, 1-for-2; Tyler Carter, 0-for-2; John Rolie, 0-for-1, BB, R; Dylan Wencl, 0-for-2; Shaye Gustafson, 1-for-1
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