(Rochester, Minn.)– The Honkers and Huskies both relied on great pitching from their starters in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader. But it was the Honkers whose offense picked up late in the game helped earn a win in the second game of the doubleheader, 4-1.
Both teams made lineup changes from the first game earlier in the afternoon but bats were largely quiet in the game’s first five innings – Duluth and Rochester combined for just three hits through five.
The Honkers finally broke through against Huskies starter, Alex Winkleman (Southeast Missouri), in the top of the 6th inning after an RBI, infield single by Blaise Lezynski (Notre Dame) followed by a double courtesy of Reid Roper (Illinois) helping the Honkers to a late 2-0 lead.
Spitzack returned to the mound in the bottom of the 6th inning and continued his fine work on the bump, maintaining the Honkers two-run lead headed into the 7th inning.
The Honkers tacked onto their lead in the 7th inning with a two-out single by Alex Schultz (Nebraska Omaha) off of reliever Jordan Deal (Parkland College) to continue to solidify himself as the team’s catalyst at the leadoff spot. A balk by Deal sent Goihl home to make it 4-0 headed to the bottom of the 7th inning where Carl Jameson (Missouri Baptist) would be handed the ball to relieve a stellar Spitzack start.
After giving up the first run of the game for Duluth, Jameson would pitch himself out of trouble to lock down a 4-1 win for the Honkers, finishing the doubleheader with a record of 4-2 on the season and they’ll head to Thunder Bay for a two-game series with the Border Cats tomorrow.
The Honkers will host the Mankato MoonDogs on Thursday evening after returning from a five-game road trip. For ticket information, visit rochesterhonkers.com.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visitwww.rochesterhonkers.com.
