The Austin Blue Sox were in total control during a 6-0 win over Faribault on their fan appreciation day in Marcusen Park Sunday.

While starting pitcher Mitch Jaeger struck out eight and allowed just two hits in six innings of work, Dan Swift’s bat broke open a 2-0 game when he belted a three-run homer over the left field fence in the fifth inning.

Swift, a lefty, has now hit two homers over the opposite field fence this season. He said he’s been trying not to look for pitches in just the inner half of the plate and he’s been adjusting to how teams are approaching him. Plus, he’s followed his own advice.

“I always tell my guys at Riverland if you’re a lefty and the wind is blowing right to left, just get it up in the air on that left side and let the wind help you out,” Swift said. “If I’m going to teach it, I might as well do it.”

Swift’s homer came after Nate Johnson doubled, and Aaron Port laced a double down the right field line.

“I expect Johnson and Port to do what they do,” Swift said. “They’re doing their job and I better do mine.”

Jaeger cruised through his six inning spurt as he allowed just two base runners. He retired the first seven hitters he faced and when Faribault did get a hit in the third, Jaeger picked the runner off at first.

“I was jumping ahead on every pitch and they really couldn’t keep up with it,” Jaeger said. “Instead of falling back on the count, I was trying to throw strikes every time.”

The Rapid City native has now pitched in two games for the Blue Sox (5-0 overall) and he’s enjoying his time so far. He was even unfazed by the cold weather on Sunday.

“You get used to the cold after living here for a year,” he said.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E

Faribault 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0

Blue Sox 1 1 0 0 3 1 0 0 X 6 9 0

Blue Sox pitching: Mitch Jaeger (W), 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 K; Duell Higbe, 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 2 K; Brady Klingfus, 1 IP, 0 R, 1 K

Blue Sox hitting: Nate Johnson, 3-for-4, RBI, 2 R; Aaron Port, 1-for-3, double, R; Zach Vlietstra, 0-for-3; Dan Swift, 2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB; Brian Voigt, 0-for-3; Higbe, 1-for-2, R; Joe Kroc, 0-for-2, BB; Derek Emanuel, 0-for-3, BB; Winston Smith, 1-for-2, R; Brandon Rector, BB; Todd Walerak, 1-for-1

Faribault pitching: Brad Peters (L), 8 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 6 ER, 3 K