The Blue Sox held their own in the hits department, but they ended up on the short end of a 7-1 score in a loss to the VeePak Hawks of Chicago in the opening round of the Spamtown Challenge at Marcusen Park Thursday.

Each team finished with six hits, but the Hawks (8-3 overall) tallied four of their hits in the fourth inning, including a two-out, three-run homer by Marvin Sanchez to make it 7-1.

Meanwhile while the Blue Sox (14-5 overall) missed big scoring chances in the first and sixth innings.

“Their pitcher (Pat Lahey) was consistent,” Blue Sox first baseman Dan Swift, who was 2-for-3, said. “He could put the ball where he wanted and he worked in and out. He did a great job, but the hits were six to six, we still should’ve put up a bigger number than one.”

In the first, Andy Swank led off with an infield single, but was thrown out at first after Aaron Port popped out on a bunt attempt. After the double play, Craig Selk and Dan Swift singled and Kyle Young knocked in a run with a single, but Nate Johnson grounded out with runners on first and second.

In the sixth, Selk reached on an error to lead off the inning and Swift hit a deep fly ball off the top of the right field fence that ended up being a single. Pinch runner Brandon Rector was thrown out at third and the Blue Sox ended up stranding runners on the corners.

Austin will play the Shakopee Indians Friday at approximately 9 p.m. at Marcusen Park.

Hawks 1 0 0 6 0 0 0 — 7 6 2

Blue Sox 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 6 2

Blue Sox pitching: Joe Huffman (L), 6 H, 2 BB, 7 ER, 5 K

Blue Sox hitting: Andy Swank, 1-for-3; Aaron Port, 0-for-3; Craig Selk, 1-for-3, R; Dan Swift, 2-for-3; Kyle Young, 1-for-3, RBI; Nate Johnson, 0-for-2, BB; Josh Kunze, 0-for-2; Casey Toops, 1-for-2, double; Joe Kroc, 0-for-2; Steve Serratore, 0-for-1; Tyler Nelson, 0-for-1; Marty Dick, 0-for-1; Darin Wagner, 0-for-1