Zach Zubia hits derby-best five home runs and guides North Division to team championship

(Wausau, Wis.) – Rochester Honker, Zach Zubia (Texas), was named the Individual Champion of the 2017 Northwoods League Home Run Derby Tuesday night at Athletic Park. The North Division won the team competition by a score of 13-11. Honkers’ outfielder, Jordan Hart (Minnesota State-Mankato), competed in the derby, but did not hit a home run.

Zubia was the first batter to hit in the derby, giving the North Division an early lead that they would not give up. The redshirt freshman hit three home runs in a row in the competition. Christian Jones (Campbell) of the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Nolan Bumstead (Cal State Northridge) of the Willmar Stingers were the next closest with three home runs each.

The festivities will continue tonight with the Northwoods League All-Star Game at Athletic Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Zubia will play for the North Division at first base.

The next home game for the Honkers is Thursday, July 20, against the Bismarck Larks. It will be Rally Time at the ballpark. Rally Entertainment, a nationally-known mascot show will be performing at Mayo Field, presented by McNeilus Steel and ABC 6 News. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, 180 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM).  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 or on Google Play and set the Honkers as your favorite team.