(Rochester, Minn) – The Rochester Honkers fell to the St. Cloud Rox 8-4 tonight in St. Cloud. The Rox scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth to help them earn the win.

The Rox scored one run in the first and one run in the third before scoring four runs in the fourth, behind a three-run home run from Ben Petersen (North Dakota State University).

St. Cloud scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a 2-RBI double from TJ Friedl (Nevada-Reno). Friedl was successful in the box tonight, going 2 for 2 with three RBI and one run scored to pace the Rox’s offense.

Jackson Douglas (0-1) (Iowa Western CC) got the start and the loss for the Honkers; he pitched four innings, allowed six runs, one of which was earned, walked two and struck out two. Robert Paccione (LIU, Post) and Carter Lilly (Corpus Christi) pitched in relief for Rochester.

Matt Shannon (1-0) (Angelo State University) started for the Rox; he pitched seven innings, allowed one hit, walked three and struck out nine. Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State Mankato) pitched in relief for the Rox, and the Honkers were able to put some runs on the board. 

The Honkers' Troy Traxler (Minnesota) hit a 2-RBI single that scored Christopher Scalisi (Redlands) and Jed Sprague (Nevada). Miles Lewis (North Dakota) singled home Bryce Marquardt (Bethel University) to cut the Rox lead to 8-3. Lewis then scored on a single from Alex Fitchett (Hawaii), and the Rox’s lead was now 8-4. But, the Rox were able to get out of the inning with on a double play, and shut down the Honkers late-inning threat. 

Taxler paced the Honkers offense, going 1 for 3 with two RBI. With the loss, the Honkers fall to 4-7, while the Rox move to 6-5.

The Honkers play in St. Cloud Saturday night, with a first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. The Honkers will travel to La Crosse to play the Loggers, with a first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. The Honkers are back home to play the same Loggers team at Mayo Field. It is MN Bankers Association Night, with a first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.

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