(Rochester, Minn.) – Despite hitting three home runs, the Honkers fell in a shootout to the Mankato MoonDogs in Game 1 of the double header 10-8 in Mankato.
The Honkers fell behind 4-0 after three innings of play. Chase Hamilton (Austin Peay) hit a two-RBI double in the first, and another RBI double in the third.
The Honkers cut the lead in half on a Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) two-run home run in the fourth. The MoonDogs came back and scored two runs in the fourth to extend their lead to 6-2.
In the fifth, Drew Ellis (Louisville) hit a sacrifice fly, followed by RBI singles by Czarske and Keaton Weisz (Auburn) to cut the MoonDogs’ lead to 6-5. The MoonDogs got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, making the score 7-5.
The Honkers took an 8-7 lead after scoring three runs in the sixth. Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) started the inning off with solo home run, followed by another RBI from Czarske. Casey Worden (UC Riverside) hit his third home run of the season to give the Honkers an 8-7 lead.
The MoonDogs tied it in the bottom half of the sixth, then took the lead on a Drew Fearing (NDSU) solo home run, and then added an insurance run, making the score 10-8.
Spencer Johnson (Wayne State) got the start for the Honkers; he pitched five innings, allowed seven runs on seven hits, walked four and struck out two. Bayley Chesterton (Riverside CC) got the loss; he pitched three innings, allowed two runs on three hits, walked one and struck out two.
Jordan Harms (NDSU) got the start for the MoonDogs; he pitched 4.1 innings, allowed five runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out four. Kevin Yarabinec (3-0) (Youngstown State) got the win; he threw the final three innings, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out three.
The Honkers and MoonDogs are at Mayo Field tonight, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6! It is Field of Future Stars Night presented by Meshbesher & Spence. All RYBA, RYSA, RYHA, Girls Softball and Miracle League players wearing their uniform top gain free general admission! The Honkers will take on the Eau Claire Express Thursday at Mayo Field for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch! It is Mascot Olympics presented by Y105-FM!
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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, more than 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 or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Honkers as your favorite team
