An often frustrating early season for the Austin baseball team received a big boost Thursday from pitcher Andy Swank. With offense hard to come by thanks to frigid and windy conditions at Marcusen Park, Swank threw a two-hit shutout to deal Rochester Century its first conference loss of the year, 1-0.

"With a young team like ours, this is a huge confidence-builder," said AHS head coach Troy Watkins. "Century's going to be one of the top teams in the league this year."

"For a team that's supposed to be championship caliber, this isn't going to cut it," said Century head coach Keith Kangas. "We didn't show up to play today."

Swank and Century's Justin Grant matched each other zero for zero on the scoreboard as the game progressed. The Panther starter was dominating through five innings, with Adam Edge's infield single the only baserunner he allowed through the first five innings.

Swank wasn't quite as overpowering, but he was able to work himself out of a second-inning jam. After the first two Century batters reached on a check-swing bloop and an error, Swank retired the side, adding the exclamation point by fanning Josh Wald for the third out. He carried this over into the next four innings, retiring 16 of 17 hitters at one point.

With both pitchers on their games, the game turned on a defensive lapse in the bottom of the sixth. After Paul Leathers drew a leadoff walk, he was replaced by Nate Johnson on a fielder's choice. Joey Kroc then hit a slow roller to shortstop Dan Lyons, whose errant throw to first allowed Johnson to come all the way around to score the game's only run.

"Nate's our fastest guy," said Watkins, "so we were fortunate to have him on the bases in that situation."

With Century suddenly finding themselves needing a run to prolong the game, the top of the seventh was not without drama. Swank retired the first two batters, but allowed a single to Mike Kelsey -- only the second hit off of the Packer hurler all day.

Kelsey was then gunned down trying to swipe second by Edge -- who threw out both potential base stealers on the afternoon -- to end the game.

"The defense really picked it up today," Swank said. "They made the plays when we needed them."

"I've said all year that our defense is going to come around and be one of the strengths of this team," Watkins added.

After getting in a solid inning of work in the loss to Winona Tuesday, Swank came out and earned his first win of the year, allowing only two hits, walking none and striking out three.

"I felt good with my curve today," Swank said. "This was the best my arm's felt all year."

Century falls to 4-1 and 4-2 overall, while Austin improves to 2-3 and 2-2 in Big Nine Conference play. The Packers take on another tough conference foe in Mankato West next Tuesday at Marcusen Park.