The Northwoods League was very saddened to hear of the early Monday morning death of Rochester Honkers pitcher Mitch Caster of Wichita State University. Caster was driving home to Kansas when he lost control of his sport utility vehicle on Interstate 35 near Des Moines, Iowa. Caster’s vehicle struck an oncoming semi after crossing the median into the northbound lane. The accident occurred just after midnight.
Felix Cardenas (Texas Permian Basin) guided the Express to a 2010 NWL Championship. The 6'1'' lefty used an assortment of pitches to keep the Honkers off balance and only allowed five hits through 7.0 scoreless innings. The Honkers came into the game scoring 11 runs last night, but Cardenas struck out three and let his error-free defense make plays behind him. Cardenas earns his 6th win of the season and 1st in the Playoffs.
Steve McGuiggan (Illinois-Chicago) blasted two home runs Sunday afternoon to lead the Eau Claire Express to a 2010 NWL Championship. McGuiggan, an Apple Valley, MN native, hit two-run home runs in the 3rd and 5th inning to give Eau Claire a 4-0 lead. The 5'11'' righty finished the afternoon 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI. The center fielder for Eau Claire also threw out Andrew Mendenhall (Oregon) in the top of the 5th as he was trying to score the Honkers 1st run of the game.
The Eau Claire Express are the 2010 Northwoods League Champions! The Express used a clutch performance from hot-hitting Steve McGuiggan (Illinois-Chicago) and left handed pitcher Felix Cardenas (Texas Permian Basin). McGuiggan, a speedy center fielder, was 3-for-4 on the afternoon with four RBI. Cardenas earned the win thanks to a five-hitter thru 7.0 scoreless innings.
Phil Haig (Florida International) was dominant Saturday night for the Rochester Honkers as he threw a four hitter. Haig went 7.0 innings for the Honkers while only walking one batter. The 6’3’’ 205-pound pitcher shut down an Express offense that had scored six runs the night before. The win is the 3rd of the season for Haig in 11 appearances.
Chris Elder (Oral Roberts) was at it again for the Rochester Honkers as he drove in three runs to propel the Honkers into a decisive game three in the Summer Collegiate World Series. Elder only had one hit on the night, but made it count as he blasted a three-run homer in the 4th inning. The left handed hitting Elder scored three runs on the night, drove in three and walked three times.
Former Rochester Honker Matt Reynolds made his Major League Debut Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The 6’5’’ lefty had been throwing in Triple-A Colorado Springs, but was called up to fill the roster spot of Brad Hawpe.
The Rochester Honkers came out with a bang as their backs were against the wall Saturday night at Mayo Field. The Honkers, who lost to Eau Claire Friday 6-0 Friday, were facing a win or go home game as Phil Haig (Florida International) took the mound. Haig was dominant as he baffled an Express line-up that was one of the league’s best. The 6’3’’ left handed pitcher threw 7.0 innings while only allowing four hits in the win.
Rudy Jaramillo of the Eau Claire Express shut down an explosive Honker offense Friday night in Eau Claire. The righty threw a complete game four hitter as the Express took game on of the Summer Collegiate World Series. Jaramillo was effective as he struck out seven Honkers to register his 4th win of the season.
Steve McGuiggan of the Eau Claire Express had two hits in game one of the Summer Collegiate World Series. The 5'11'' 195-pound righty was 2-for-4 on the night with one RBI and one run scored. One of McGuiggan's two hits was a home run, his 1st of the postseason.
