The Bismarck Bismarcks (Larks) fell to the Rochester Honkers, 7-4 on National Donut Day. Friday’s donut-themed game was presented by Bearscat Bakehouse.

Fans at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, Home of Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field learned that the MVP Mint Chip was named the 2022 Larks Donut of the Year. The Larks wore special donut jerseys that were auctioned off to support Kid’s Kingdom and raised $4,180.

Following the game, the fans enjoyed an epic firework show for Fetzer Firework Friday, presented by Memory Fireworks.

The Larks saw six players on the hill today. Austin Luther (Wittenburg) got the start and went two innings giving up only one hit and no earned runs, and struck out five. Luther also delivered the Metro Area Ambulance Fastest Pitch of the Game at 89 mph. The Larks saw four of the six pitchers put up scoreless innings and struck out a combined eight batters. 

 For the Honkers, AJ Campbell (Frostburg St.) went five scoreless innings striking out six and walking only two. Campbell also hit the only home run of the series so far in the top of the sixth, driving in two. The Honkers scored five in the top of the sixth that put them up 7-0 at the time. 

The Larks started to rally in the sixth, scoring two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings. Returning center fielder, Ryan Curran (Montevallo), drove in two runs in the sixth inning with a two-out triple and finished with the Fetzer Electric Play of the Game.  

Three Larks hitters ended with an RBI on the evening, including Ryan Curran, Enrique Morales (Georgetown College), and Daryl Ruiz (Cal State University, San Bernandino). Morales and Ruiz both drove in runners in the seventh inning cutting the Larks deficit to three. 

The Larks saw impressive outings out of the bullpen from Justin Goldstein (Middle Tennessee St. and  Will Chauffe (Pepperdine) and position players Kaiden Cardoso (Minot St.), and Aaron Mann (Drury). Goldstein finished with only one earned run, and the rest finished with scoreless outings. Those five combined for six of the eight strikeouts tonight for the Larks.

The Larks are back in action tomorrow for the series finale at 6:35 PM on NWLTV for Harry Potter Night at the ballpark. Bismarck will look to take the series and start off the season 3-1.