The Austin softball team had barely finished celebrating its season opening 11-1 win against New Richland-HEG in the Packer Dome Monday and freshman pitcher KJ Schaefer was already talking about getting ready for the next game. That’s the kind of jump in maturity the Packers have made this spring as they have a strong group of young leaders, who are taking the next step. Another freshman who took a big step forward in the opener was Charlee Cunningham, who started slap hitting this season. Cunningham gave the Packers (1-0 overall) a major lift from the leadoff spot as she went four-for-five with a double and three RBIs. “Going from eighth grade to ninth grade, I feel way more confident with my team. If we make errors, it doesn’t matter and we move on to the next play,” Cunningham said. “I tried (slap hitting) and I just really liked it. It took me about a year to figure it out. It helps way more with my speed. I get a head start, and I just go.” Austin head coach Lisa Lage is thrilled with the development of Cunningham and senior Katelynn Klouse, who is also slap hitting now. Klouse went one-for-three with a walk on Monday. “We haven’t had a left handed hitter in a long time. Last year we were trying to get Katelynn to do it, but we were only able to do it occasionally. They both put in a lot of work in the offseason and it’s nice to have them slapping. Overall, the speed that we have on this team is going to be a huge advantage for us,” Lage said. “They looked ready to go today and it’s very promising, especially for a young team at the varsity level.” Austin led 6-0 after four innings, but NRHEG had runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the fifth inning and it had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the sixth. Schaefer yielded just one run in those frames as she finished with 11 strikeouts, while scattering three hits and three walks. “I feel like my confidence level is higher and I feel more like a leader,” Schaefer said. “It doesn’t really bug me (when runners are on base). I just have to stay good mentally.” Austin will host Stewartville in the PackerDome at 5 p.m. Tuesday.  NRHEG 0 0 0 0 0 1  –   1   3  5 Austin 1 1 0 4 2 2  –  11  8  1 Austin pitching: KJ Schaefer (W) 6 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 ER, 11 K Austin hitting: Charlee Cunningham, 4-for-5, double, 3 RBIs, 3 R; Katelynn Klouse, 1-for-3, R, BB; Quinn Osgood, 2-for-4, double, 2 R, SB; Schaefer, 0-for-1, RBI, 2 BBs, HBP; Jenna Hetzel, 0-for-3, RBI, R, HBP; Morgan Cass, 0-for-4, BB; Sienna, Branden, 0-for-3, R, BB; Adi Kline, 1-for-4, double, RBI; Lauren Bowe, 0-for-1, 2 R, 2 BBs, HBP; Ariel Weideman, R, SB The post Young Packers show growth in opening win over Panthers appeared first on Austin Daily Herald. ...read more read less