(Rochester, Minn.) – Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) and Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) each launched a home run to push the Honkers to a 9-3 victory at Mayo Field over the La Crosse Loggers. The Honkers record now sits at 2-3 while the Loggers fall to 2-4.
Casey Danley (Illinois Central CC) got the Loggers on the board in the top of the first with a single that scored Kevin Collard (San Diego). The Honkers struck right back in the bottom of the first as the first three Honkers’ batter reach based and scored.
Bryce Marquardt (Bethel University), Christopher Scalisi (Redlands) and Miles Lewis (North Dakota) all reached base and scored runs in the first innings to give the Honkers a 3-2 lead.
The Honkers added a run in fourth, and then Czarske hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the Honkers a 7-2 advantage.
Fitchett joined the home run club as he launched his first of the year, a two-run shot, over the left field fence. The Honkers left the sixth inning with a 9-2 lead.
The Loggers got one run back in the top of the seventh, when Luke Farley (Iowa) hit a solo home run, cutting the Honkers lead down to 9-3.
Clayton McGinness (Wichita State) earned the win, as he gave the Honkers a quality start, going six innings, allowing six hits, two runs, struck out six and walked one.
Connor Wollersheim (Kent State) took the loss for Loggers, as the starter only went one inning; he gave up three runs and stuck out three. Graham Spraker came in on relief duties, going 4.2 innings, gave up seven hits, six runs and struck out six.
Fitchett was 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI to lead the Honkers, while Lewis and Czarske each collected two hits for the Honkers today. Czarski led the team with three RBI.
Farley and Ramon Padilla (Illinois Central CC) each logged two hits to lead the La Crosse offense.
The Honkers next home game is tomorrow against the Waterloo Bucks in the first game of the SCHEELS Highway 63 Cup! The first 100 fans will get Highway 63 Cup T Shirts courtesy of ABC 6 News! The Honkers will then go on the road for two games; on Monday they will battle the Waterloo Bucks in Waterloo, then they will travel to Mankato for two, seven inning games against the MoonDogs. They Honkers will host the same MoonDogs team Thursday. Come to the game and relax after Thursdays on First!
It’s opening week in Minnesota in the Northwoods League presented by Minnesota College Savings Plan
The Minnesota College Savings Plan, is Minnesota’s official 529 college savings plan. It takes just $25 to start, making it easier for families to save for higher education expenses. Funds saved can be used at colleges, technical schools and grad schools nationwide to cover the cost of tuition, as well as books, supplies and other qualified expenses. Additionally, SavingforCollege.com recently ranked the Minnesota College Savings Plan as one of the nation’s top performing direct sold 529 plans. Find out more at www.mnsaves.org
All Rochester Honkers’ games can be heard on 1520 AM ‘The Ticket”. Season tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Rochester Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information or go to 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 23rd 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com
