Michael Freeman makes sure the Honkers stay ahead all game

(Rochester, Minn.)– To begin their final series of the regular season, the Honkers travelled to Alexandria for a couple games with the Blue Anchors. A few big innings Saturday night helped the Honkers to a 14-2 win.

While Honkers starter Michael Freeman (Oklahoma State) pitched typically well, the Honkers struck first, scoring the game’s initial run in the second inning on an RBI groundout from first baseman Mark Handberg (Nebraska Omaha).

Then, in the third, the Honkers built on their early lead off Blue Anchors starter Sean Terres (North Dakota State). Jeff Campbell (North Dakota) singled in two runs and Rochester scored their fourth run on a wild pitch.

More stellar pitching from Freeman let the Honkers continue to add to their four-run lead in the sixth. A bases-loaded sacrifice fly from Parker Guinn (Washington) helped the Honkers to a 5-0 advantage.

The Blue Anchors’ first run came in the bottom of the sixth after an error from Honkers third baseman Campbell. Freeman then hit Nehwon Norkeh (Angelo State) with the bases loaded to score Alexandria’s second run of the game, cutting their deficit to three.

The Honkers countered Alexandria’s two-run sixth with four of their own. With the bases loaded, Tanner Buenting (Iowa Central Community College) was hit by a pitch and Alex Schultz (Nebraska Omaha) walked to give the Honkers back a five-run lead. Still with bases loaded, Guinn singled in two more runs to give the Honkers a 9-2 lead in the seventh inning.

Freeman returned to the mound to help the Honkers preserve their new seven-run lead and did so by retiring the side in order, 1-2-3.

In the top of the ninth, the Honkers made sure they kept a lead out of reach of the Blue Anchors, scoring two more runs. Guinn grounded into a run-scoring double play and four singles from Jordan Smith (Minnesota), Jeff Campbell, Ben Ladner (Dakota Wesleyan) and Mark Handberg pushed the Honkers to a 14-2 lead only three outs from Saturday’s win.

Levi Lochner (Rochester Community and Technical College) pitched the final two scoreless innings of the game to give the Honkers the 14-2 win Saturday night. Tomorrow, both teams play their final game of the regular season at 1:05 p.m. in Alexandria. You can follow the Honkers at 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, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com.