Post-Bulletin, Austin MN
MANKATO — The Austin Blue Sox got an impressive win Monday, shutting out the state Class B amateur baseball champion Mankato Twins 3-0.
The Blue Sox, who upped their record to 10-0, beat the Twins behind young pitcher Mitch Jaeger. Jaeger, a freshman this past school at Riverland Community College, worked all nine innings in notching the win.
His teammates gave him a 2-0 lead in the second inning, setting the tone.
"Getting two quick runs for Mitch was the key," Blue Sox player/coach Josh Kunze said. "Mitch is a young guy, so to give him some run support was big."
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Kunze went away impressed with Jaeger’s ability to perform.
"To send out a (college) freshman against the state’s defending champions is a pretty daunting task," Kunze said.
Aaron Port delivered the key hit in the game, a two-out, two-run single in the second inning to center.
Kunze likes what the win should do for his team.
"It put a feather in our cap to have beaten them," he said. "If we get to the state tournament, we’ll know now that we can beat the best."
The Blue Sox are in the Spamtown Challenge Tournament beginning Thursday at Marcusen Park. The Blue Sox begin with a 6:30 p.m. game against the Chicago Wildcats.
BLUE SOX 3, MANKATO TWINS 0
Blue Sox 020 001 000 — 3 7 3
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Mankato 000 000 000 — 0 4 2
WP: Mitch Jaeger 9 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K. LP: Kevin Dixon 7 IP.
