Three more hits for Campbell, seven scoreless for Kent help Honkers to 3-0 shutout win in Rochester
(Rochester, Minn.)– The Honkers completed the first half sweep of the Eau Claire Express and won their third straight game, 3-0. It was their fourth-straight win against the Express this season in front of their biggest crowd of the summer.
There were 1,205 people in attendance to watch Matt Kent’s (Texas A&M) brilliant start. In his first two starts this season, Kent was the hard-luck loser twice. Wednesday night, Kent kept the Express off the scoreboard in his seven innings on the mound. Kent allowed just two hits and one walk and struck out four batters.
The Honkers had a little more luck against Express starter Orlando Meza (San Diego State). Meza was mostly strong in his start save for one blemish. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Reid Roper (Illinois) singled to center field with two outs and Jeff Campbell (North Dakota) followed with a home run to left center field, his second of the season. The hit also extended Campbell’s hit streak to eight games.
Rochester built on their lead in the seventh inning when Corey Hassel (Oklahoma State) singled with two outs and moved to second base after a walk. Hassel stole third base in the following at-bat and scored on an error committed by catcher Daniel Salters (Dallas Baptist).
The Express’ biggest threat to the Honkers‘ lead came in the bottom of the eighth inning when reliever Ryan Bower (Allan Hancock College) allowed a lead-off single and walked the next two batters without recording an out. Bower recovered and struck out the following two batters. From there, lefty Brandon Stennis (Doane College) came on to face the left-handed catcher Salters; Stennis struck him out, too, to preserve the 3-0 lead.
Eau Claire loaded the bases again in the top of the ninth inning, this time with two outs. John Conquy (Dixie State) made his first appearance since June 4, after missing time due to injury. Conquy struck out Brady Burzynski (Wisconsin-Stout) looking, earning his second save of the season in the process.
The Honkers visit the St. Cloud Rox tomorrow to begin a four-game road trip that will also take them to Bill Taunton Stadium to meet division leaders Willmar. Nick Gruener (Harvard) is set to start tomorrow’s game with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. The Honkers are home next on Monday to continue the SCHEELS Highway 63 Cup against rivals Waterloo Bucks. 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.
