Erik Cha and Spencer Johnson set to start first two games of the season.
(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers announced today that Erik Cha will start the away opener in Eau Claire Tuesday, and Spencer Johnson will start the home opener at Mayo Field against Eau Claire Wednesday. First pitch for opening day in Eau Claire is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., and the home opener in Rochester is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Cha, a left-handed freshman from Cal State Fullerton, was red shirted at Fullerton this season. Cha was named as Ruben S. Ayala High School’s 2015 Male Athlete of the Year. In his senior season in 2015, he went 4-5 with a 1.53 ERA in 11 starts. He struck out 58 and earned First-Team All-League.
“Cha comes from a very good pitching program at Cal State Fullerton. They are known for throwing strikes,” said Honkers’ Field Manager Trevor Hairgrove. “He is a fresh arm since he was red shirted this season, and it is nice to start with a fresh arm. He won’t go long, but we are expecting big things from him this summer.”
Johnson, a right-handed red-shirt sophomore from Wayne State (Neb.), had 10 appearances this season for the Wildcats, in which five were starts. He threw 28 innings in his appearances, struck out 23 and walked 19.
“Johnson is older and has experience,” Hairgrove said. “He made a lot of starts at Wayne State, and he is not going to be shocked when he goes out on the mound.”
The Rochester Honkers’ 23rd season begins on May 31st when the team travels to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to take on the Express. The following night, Wednesday, June 1st, the Honkers battle the Express in their home opener at Mayo Field at 7:05 pm. Season Tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Rochester Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information. The Honkers are also looking for host families for the 2016 season and ask all interested parties to call the business office for more information.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com.
