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Published On: June 2nd, 2015

By: Max Gun

Battle Creek, Mich.—The Rochester Honkers came into Battle Creek, and, behind 14 walks, sweep the Bombers in a two game series.

The Honkers led 7-0 after the fourth inning, but the Bombers didn’t go down without a fight. Battle creek had a two-run sixth inning and a four-run seventh to come within two runs of the Honkers, but it wasn’t enough.

Battle Creek scored four of their runs courtesy of Colby Green’s (Trinton Community College) inability to locate the strike zone. He walked in two runs in the seventh inning, while another run scored on a wild pitch and another on a hit by pitch.

Jayson Yano (Stevens Institute of Technology) started for the Honkers and kept the Bombers at bay during his five innings of work. He surrendered just one run on three hits, before being removed after the fifth inning due to pitch count restrictions.

Andrew Mitchell (Delgado Community College) started for the Bombers after arriving to Battle Creek yesterday. He lasted just 1.1 innings, giving up four earned runs. Mitchell was relieved by Layne Bruner (Washington State) who had trouble finding the strike zone all day. Bruner allowed seven walks in his two innings of work allowing two runs. Nathan Witt (Michigan State), also struggled with his command, allowing four walks in 3.2 inning, and giving up two runs.

A key spot in the game came in the sixth inning with the bases loaded when Tim McKeithan (Brown) stepped to the plate against Ryan Boelter (Gardner-Webb). McKeithan, who’s hitting just .133 on the year, popped out softly to the first baseman on just the second pitch of the at-bat to end the inning. McKeithan has flashed a highlight-reel glove at shortstop so far for the Bombers, but has really struggled at the plate. He was pinch-hit for later in the game by Christian Helsel.

Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UCONN) held the Bombers hitless though his 2.1 innings out of the Honkers bullpen to close the game.

The Honkers improve to 5-1 while the Bombers fall to 4-4 on the season.

Next up for Battle Creek are the Kenosha Kingfish (4-3), who the Bombers beat twice last weekend in Kenosha. The Bombers will play the Kingfish for two games to round out the home stand, before hitting the road for an eight game swing starting Friday.