The Blue Sox jumped out early and avoided a few speed bumps in a 4-1 win over Rosemount in Marcusen Park Friday night.

Austin (12-13 overall) took advantage of two walks and a hit batter in the first inning and scored four runs. Dan Swift had a key double to score the first run of the inning, Joe Huffman had an RBI groundout, Todd Walerak walked to score a run, and Pete Conway had a sacrifice fly.

Those four runs were enough for Huffman as he struck out eight in nine innings of work.

“That’s the first time we’ve actually had good things happen at the right time in awhile,” Swift said. “It was Joe’s third or fourth start in a row where he’s done a heck of a job and it’s the first time we’ve given him some runs. You have to give credit to Joe, he’s throwing so well this year.”

Huffman got out of trouble in the eighth inning when Austin shortstop Joe Kroc caught a line drive off the bat of Tiger Tschidam and threw to first for a double play. With two outs, Rosemount’s Jason Krushman reached on a Blue Sox throwing error and Dill Eisele doubled off the left field wall. Huffman got out of the jam when Tim Radmache lined out to Pete Conway in left field.

“I was starting to get a little tired there so that was big,” Huffman said of Kroc’s double play. “We managed to escape.”

The Blue Sox won for the second straight game without some of the regulars. T.J. Parlin filled in at second base for the third time this week, and Pete Conway and Todd Walerak played the outfield.

“We’re still shorthanded but I think it was a glimpse of how deep we can be,” Blue Sox manager Josh Kunze said. “We’re real happy that our so called backups made the plays they should’ve.”

Kunze wished the team could’ve put up some more runs, but he hopes the offense will come around when the regulars return.

“That’s kind of been our M.O. all year is to score in bunches and then take a nap,” he said. “It’s no way to play when it’s win or go home, but for now we’re happy with the ‘W.’”

Swift said the offense struggled because the Blue Sox were missing some of their top speedsters — Andy Swank, Aaron Port, and Casey Toops.

“I don’t think we let up,” Swift said. “It’s hard to play the way we play with all of our speed gone. You can’t play a speed game without speed.”

In all, Swift said the win will give the Blue Sox some momentum as they close out the regular season. The postseason begins Aug. 3.

“This is a game we’ve been waiting for. Last year it started slow and everything seemed to happen,” he said. ”Hopefully we can get a couple of more wins and finish the regular season on a winning streak.”

Blue Sox 4, Black Sox 1

Blue Sox pitching: Joe Huffman (W, 2-5), 9 IP, 7 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 8 K

Blue Sox hitting: Nate Johnson, 1-for-4; Joe Kroc, 0-for-1, 3 BBs, R; Pat Wolard, 1-for-4, R; Dan Swift, 2-for-4, double, RBI, R; Josh Kunze, 0-for-2, BB, SB, R; Joe Huffman, 0-for-4, RBI; Todd Walerak, 0-for-2, 2 BBs, RBI; Pete Conway, 0-for-3, RBI; T.J. Parlin, 0-for-3

Rosemount pitching: Lance Anderson, 8 IP, 4 H, 6 BB, 4 ER, 4 K

Rosemount hitting: Tiger Tschida, 0-for-3, BB; Jason Kroshman, 0-for-4; Dill Eisele, 1-for-4, double; Mook Rodmazker, 0-for-4; Tim Rodmache, 1-for-4; Jared Johnson, 3-for-4, RBI; John Rodmache, 0-for-3; Doren McEathren, 1-for-3; Dave Molche, 0-for-1