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Published On: June 4th, 2014

(Rochester, Minn.)— The Honkers used a solid start in the debut of Blake Quinn (Fresno State) and a big 6th inning to beat the Border Cats in the first game of their doubleheader, 11-1.

The Honkers finally took the field after rain had prevented both teams from playing their games yesterday and this morning. Sunny skies shined on Rochester and Thunder Bay and play began in game no. 1 of a doubleheader Tuesday night. Quinn pitched 3.2 innings in his first start of the summer, allowing just a single run on 3 hits and 4 walks. Relieving Quinn in the 4th inning, Zywicki managed to work out of a tough spot after he inherited a situation with runners on first and third base, allowing an unearned run to score after a throwing error by catcher Jack Goihl (Augustana).

Headed into the top of the 6th inning, the Honkers lead the Border Cats 3-1. Breaking into Thunder Bay’s bullpen the inning before, the Honkers would bat around in the 6th. Ryne Roper (Illinois) started the onslaught of Honkers offense with a one-out walk followed by three consecutive hits, a sacrifice fly, a double, another single, all capped by a two-run homerun off the bat of Karl Sorenson (St. Cloud State). At the end of the 6th inning, the Honkers would lead 10-1. Zywicki would retire the side in order in the bottom half of the inning on 10 pitches and go on to finish the game strong, thwarting the Border Cats from scoring an earned run in the game during his 3.1 innings of work on 3 hits allowed.

The Honkers will look to sweep the day’s doubleheader, sending Nick Gruener (Harvard) to the mound. Last start, Gruener earned Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night honors against Eau Claire on May 29. Game no. 2 is set to begin 30 minutes after the final out is recorded of the first game.  

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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.