DeBerry throws seven scoreless, Huskies deliver 10 runs in the eighth inning
Duluth, Minn. – From the first pitch, the Duluth Huskies were determined for their 16th win. After a four-run loss at home, the Huskies delivered one of their most complete performances of the season.
The Duluth Huskies hammered the Rochester Honkers 15-8 on Thursday night at Wade Stadium. It was the second-most runs the Huskies scored this season, only behind their 17-run win over Minnesota back on June 1st.
Six Huskies recorded multi-hit performances, including a first multi-hit performance for catcher Colin Burgess. Ambren Voitik recorded a joint-season-high three hits, also scoring twice.
RHP David Rodriguez, got his fourth start for Rochester. It was the second start for Rodriguez against the Huskies, after giving up four runs in four innings against the Huskies at Wade Stadium in a no decision.
The Huskies got right to work against Rodriguez in the first. Jon Vastine and Eddy Rosario each recorded hits in the opening frame, but Rochester were able to catch Vastine at the plate to close the inning.
In the second, the Huskies took advantage of a few Rochester mistakes. With the bases loaded, second baseman Cam Frederick hit a deep fly ball to the wall, which was caught, but plenty deep to bring Peyton Powell in from third base to give Duluth a 1-0 lead.
It was Frederick’s sixth RBI of the season, but the fifth against Rochester.
The inning didn’t end there, with Rochester being the architects of their own downfall. Back-to-back errors by second baseman Austin Davis and first baseman Michael Brown drove in two more runs for the Huskies, making it a 3-0 lead through two innings.
RHP Jaron DeBerry took the bump for the Huskies for his fourth start of the season. The Grayson College product had previously thrown six innings in each of his last two starts, earning his first win in his last start against Waterloo.
He started strong, retiring the first five Honkers batters. DeBerry allowed just one hit through his first three innings, throwing just 35 pitches, keeping the Honkers off the board.
The Huskies (16-13) gave their starter some more support in the fifth. With another bases-loaded opportunity, Peyton Powell git into a fielder’s choice to score JD Rogers to boost the lead to four. In the next at bat, Powell swiped second base, and Kristian Campbell side-stepped catcher Carson Stevens to score on a double-steal to make it 5-0.
DeBerry kept his composure, striking out three in the sixth inning to secure a dominant outing. The Grayson College product closed his line with seven shutout innings, striking out seven, and surrendering just two hits.
In their last chance for insurance, the Huskies made the most of the bottom of the eighth. After loading the bases, JD Rogers and Kristian Campbell each were able to drive in an RBI, before Rosario cleared the bases with a three-run double to make it 10-0 Huskies.
Rosario finished with two hits Thursday night, and is now up to a team-best 23 RBI this season.
The Huskies were able to score nine runs in the eighth inning, including a two-run single by JD Rogers, then a balk by Theo Hardy would make it 15-0 going into the ninth.
The Honkers (13-17) were able to scratch off seven runs in the ninth, but it wouldn’t be enough. Jaron DeBerry recorded his second win of the season for the Huskies, David Rodriguez lost his fourth game of the season for the Honkers.
The Huskies will close the first half of the 2022 season on a four-game road trip, starting tomorrow against the La Crosse Loggers. The Huskies are 1-1 against La Crosse this season. First pitch at Copeland Park is scheduled for 6:35 P.M.
