(Rochester, Minn.)– The Honkers slump at the plate continued Wednesday night in rainy Battle Creek where the Bombers defeated the Honkers, 5-1.

In the series, the Honkers could only grab two runs in the two games to begin their Michigan trip. The Bombers completed the two-game sweep and kept the Honkers’ bats quiet; the team only gathered 4 hits Wednesday night.

First pitch was delayed by rain for nearly two hours, but the game would be salvaged at C.O. Brown Stadium. Bombers starting pitcher, Dakota Mekkes (Michigan State), had an outstanding start and kept the Honkers’ bats out of a rhythm, striking out 9 in just 5 innings of work. Mekkes only allowed 2 hits and 1 walk. The lone Honkers run was unearned after an error by first baseman Connor Panas sent Reid Roper (Illinois) home from second base in the 4th inning.

In the 6th inning, Spitzack returned to the mound and surrendered back-to-back doubles as the Bombers regained the lead and it would be enough to chase Spitzack from the game. It was Justin Stawychny (Louisiana at Monroe) again who was responsible for the go-ahead double after his big game last night. Ryan Fritze (Des Moines Area CC) relieved Spitzack but couldn’t prevent the Bombers from scoring more runs after Brandon Van Horn (Dallas Baptist) doubled in two more runs with two away to make it 4-1.
Drizzle gradually turned into a downpour that would delay the game again headed into the 7th inning. Hope seemed dim that the game would return to action but a break in the rain allowed the Honkers and Bombers to finish what they started. The Honkers came out of the delay strong, but with runners on first and second base, Jordan Smith (Minnesota) would strike out. Later, L.J. Brewster (Hawaii) stepped into the batters box with the bases loaded and two away but would pop out to first base. The 7th inning rally would be the closest the Honkers would get to a comeback.

Rochester extended their woes with runners in scoring position Wednesday night and will head to Kalamazoo on Thursday looking for a way to energize their bats.

Tomorrow, first pitch is at 6:05 p.m. at Knute Nelson Memorial Park in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Honkers will send Chad Hodges (South Dakota State) to the hill, seeking his first win as a member of the team, against the Growlers. The Honkers’ next home game will be Saturday against the Alexandria Blue Anchors, set for a 7:05 p.m. start. 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.