Blue Sox beat Rochester Royals
Published 10:16 pm Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Austin’s John Kirby pulls in a sliding catch in right field during the Blue Sox’s 7-1 win over the Rochester Royals in Marcusen Park Wednesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Austin Blue Sox picked up the momentum early on as they cruised to a 7-1 win over the Rochester Royals in Marcusen Park Wednesday.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the second inning, the Blue Sox (12-11 overall) answered with three runs in the bottom of the second. Brady Banse doubled to the left field wall to score a run a run and Preston Higbe singled in two runs with a shot up the middle.
Lukas Anderson of the Austin Blue Sox hustles towards third base in Austin’s 7-1 win over Rochester in Marcusen Park Wednesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“That was huge,” Klingfus said. “We had the four batters in a row in the bottom of our order step up and that gave us a lift.”
Austin pitcher Brady Banse was solid throughout the night as he allowed just two hits in the complete game victory. Banse struck out six and the Royals never threatened to score after the second.
“When you get a lead like that with Brady Banse on the mound, you feel pretty confident,” Higbe said. “All we have to do is pick the ball up behind him and we’ll be fine.”
The Blue Sox split the season series with the Royals and they’re hoping that’s enough to put them in the No. 3 seed of the Section tournament, which begins next Friday. The Austin Greyhounds and Mankato Mets are likely to be the top two seeds in the tournament.
“Hopefully the Greyhounds can sweep (Rochester on Saturday) and help us out and get us the three seed,” Higbe said.
The Hounds and Blue Sox will face off in a seven inning exhibition contest Friday and that night will be used to honor the 10th anniversary of the Austin Blue Sox.
Jason Denzer will be the first inductee into the Blue Sox hall of fame and the top Blue Sox team of all time will also be recognized.
The members of the 10-year team include Denzer, Casey Toops, Aaron Port, Dan Swift, Nels Nelson, Joe Huffman, Nate Johnson and Joe Kroc.
There will also be a raffle for an IPad-Mini.
Royals 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 2 3
Blue Sox 0 3 0 0 2 1 1 0 X — 7 10 1
Blue Sox pitching: Brady Banse (W), 9 IP, 2 H, 2 BBs, 0 R, 6 K, 2 HBP
Brady Banse fires a pitch for the Austin Blue Sox in Marcusen Park Wednesday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Blue Sox hitting: Brandon Rector, 0-for-5, SB; Jamie Adams, 0-for-5; John Kirby, 2-for-3, 2 R, BB; Josh Kunze, 3-for-4; DJ Taylor, 1-for-3, double, R, HBP; Lukas Anderson, 2-for-4, R; Brady Klingfus, 1-for-2, double, RBI, 2 R, HBP, BB; Preston Higbe, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs; Quinn Yocom, 0-for-3, R, BB
