A Blue Sox pitcher cemented his spot in the team’s rotation when Austin beat the Eau Claire Cavs 10-6 in Marcusen Park Thursday night.

Brady Banse allowed 10 hits in seven innings, but he didn’t give up an earned run and didn’t have a walk, while striking out six against a team that beat the Blue Sox, who have now won five straight, twice earlier this season.

“This outing and Brady’s last one against Marshall I think have opened a lot of eyes. We’ve always known that Brady has what it takes to go out there and do that,” Blue Sox manger Josh Kunze said. “I’d hand the ball to Brady Banse in the state tournament and feel good about it. Maybe I couldn’t have honestly said that before, but now I can.”

Austin took the lead for good in the sixth inning when Aaron Port ripped a two-out, two run single in to put the Blue Sox up 4-2.

After the Cavs scored off an Austin throwing error in the seventh, the Blue Sox added six more when they took advantage of four Eau Claire errors in the bottom of the seventh. Pat Wolard ripped an RBI-double to left field to start the rally and Casey Toops beat out a bunt single to score another run.

While the Blue Sox (15-13 overall) struggled to score early, Banse pitched around some early jams to keep his team in the game.

The Cavs scored two in the second off of a couple throwing errors by Austin.

“It was frustrating but you’ve gotta trust that your team will put some runs on the board and they did that,” Banse said. “I got comfortable and got in a groove and let the defense make some plays.”

After being held scoreless for four innings, Toops walked and scored on a wild pitch for Austin in the fifth inning. The Blue Sox left runners on second and third as Andy Swank popped out and Nate Johnson grounded out.

Kunze said his team’s comeback against the Cavs will give them confidence in the future.

“They’ve got that experience now,” Kunze said. “I think tomorrow night if we get behind, we’ll draw back on it and know we can come back.”

In his last 12 innings pitched for the Blue Sox, Banse has allowed just one earned run, while striking out 13. The Riverland pitcher said he is starting to get used to amateur ball.

“There’s definitely a lot more consistent hitting than the college level,” he said. “You’ve got to keep the ball around the plate and be able to use all of your pitches at almost any count. It was a little bit of a jump, but I’m getting used to it just in time for the playoffs.”

The Blue Sox will take on the Greyhounds in Marcusen Park Friday at 8 p.m.

Blue Sox 10, Cavs 6

Blue Sox pitching: Brady Banse (W), 7 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 6 K; Sam Stier, 2 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 2 ER

Blue Sox hitting: Aaron Port, 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, R, 2 SB; Andy Swank, 0-for-2, 2 BB; Nate Johnson, 0-for-2, 2 BBs, R, SB; Sean Breslin, 1-for-5; Pat Wolard, 2-for-4, double, RBI, BB; Duell Higbe, 0-for-4, R, BB; Casey Toops, 2-for-3, RBI, 3 R, BB; Josh Kunze, 0-for-2, R, BB; Joe Kroc, 0-for-2, RBI, R, BB; Sam Stier, 2 R; Pete Conway, 0-for-1; Mark Harber, 0-for-1; T.J. Parlin, 0-for-1

Cavs pitching: Troy Driffer (L), 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 3 ER, 5 K

Cavs hitting: Cole Kraft, 1-for-4, RBI; Soya Aoki, 2-for-4; Lance Poppy, 2-for-5, double, 2 RBIs; Ty Fadness, 1-for-5; Jon Knapp, 0-for-4; Alex Buman, 0-for-4; Jared Angrenjin, 1-for-3; Rob Rybicki, 3-for-4, RBI; Brady Sand, 2-for-4