(Willmar, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (8-7 Second Half, 24-26 Overall) dropped the series opener to the Willmar Stingers (12-5, 30-23) by a score of 7-4 Monday night at Bill Taunton Stadium. The Honkers came within a run of the Stingers’ lead after falling behind 0-4 after three innings. Zach Zubia (Texas) led the way for the Honkers with two hits, a run, and two walks. Willmar now has a one-game lead in the North Division second half standings.
The Stingers struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. A walk and a hit-by-pitch put the first two batters on base to start the inning. After both runners moved up on a wild pitch, the Stingers scored runs on a groundout to the shortstop by Nolan Bumstead (Cal State Northridge) and a single to center field by Danny Rodriguez (Bethune-Cookman).
Bumstead returned in the bottom of the third inning with a two-run double to right field, extending the Willmar lead to 4-0.
After stranding two runners on base without scoring in the top of the fourth inning, the Honkers were able to break through in the sixth inning. Zubia started the rally with a two-out double to left field. Konnor Zickefoose (UC Irvine) followed with a single to center field, scoring Zubia. Three batters later, Michael Michalak (Des Moines Area CC) hit an infield single off the glove of the Willmar pitcher, allowing Zickefoose to score from third base.
Trailing 5-2 in the top of the eighth, Chris Ceballos (Orange Coast) hit a home run with Michalak on first base, to bring the Honkers within a run.
The Stingers pulled away in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs on a hit and two Rochester errors, returning to a three-run lead.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (UC Irvine) was hit by the first pitch of the top of the ninth inning, but the Honkers could not make anything of it in their final chance at a comeback. Calvin Coker (Auburn) struck out two of the final three batters to finish the game and earn his third save of the season.
Joe Vranesic (Kent State) earned the win (2-1) for the Stingers. He pitched six innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out three batters and walking one.
Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie) took the loss (0-3) for the Honkers. He pitched five innings, giving up four runs on four hits while striking out three batters and walking three.
The Honkers will finish the series in Willmar tomorrow, July 25. First pitch from Bill Taunton Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ryan Thompson (Illinois) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. Thompson has 31 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched this season. Luke Chevalier (Northern State) is scheduled to pitch for the Stingers. Chevalier is 1-1 this season with a 3.40 ERA.
The next home game for the Flock is Wednesday, July 26, against the La Crosse Loggers. It will be Kids 3Buck Day, presented Overby Orthodontics. Kids 12 and under can gain admission to the game for only three dollars. First pitch is 12:05 p.m. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Manny Armendariz (Doane) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. Armendariz is 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA.
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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, more than 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.
