(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers fell in Game 2 to the Mankato MoonDogs 5-4 at Mayo Field Wednesday night.

The Honkers scored the first run of the game, when Jacob Thomas (UC Davis) hit a sacrifice fly that scored Kyle Kasser (Oregon).

The MoonDogs tied the game in the fourth, when Bryce Adams (LSU) hit a solo home run. Gavin Wehby (Nicholls State) hit a 2-RBI single to give Mankato a 3-1 lead in the sixth.

The MoonDogs scored another run in the seventh, when Drew Fearing (NDSU) hit a RBI single to give Mankato a 4-1 lead. Wehby knocked in one more run, when he hit into a double play, giving the MoonDogs a 5-1 lead in the eighth.

The Honkers came back in the bottom of the eighth scoring three runs.  Casey Worden (UC Riverside) hit an RBI single, followed by a sacrifice fly from Brett Harrison (North Dakota). Thomas knocked in another RBI with a single to make the score 5-4.

Robert Paccione (LIU – Post) got the start for the Honkers; he went four innings, allowed one run on two hits, walked three and struck out one. Ricky Delgado (0-2) (UC Riverside) got the loss for the Honkers; he went two innings, allowed two runs on three hits, walked two and struck out four.

Cameron Linck (La Tech) got the start for the MoonDogs; he went 4.1 innings, allowed one run on six hits, walked three and struck out one. Brian Gadsby (1-0) (UCLA) got the win for Mankato; he pitched 2.2 innings, allowed one hit and struck out two.

Thomas paced the Honkers offense by going 2 for 3 with two RBI, while Wehby was 1 for 5 with 2 RBI and Alvaro Rubalcaba (Cal State Northfield) went 2 for 3 with two runs scored to lead the MoonDogs.

The Honkers are back at home tomorrow night to take on the Eau Claire Express on Mascot Olympics Night presented by Y105-FM. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6:00! The Honkers and Express will play each other Friday in Eau Claire, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Rochester is then back at home to battle the Duluth Huskies for a weekend series. Saturday is a Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Olmsted Medical Center and ABC 6 News, first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Sunday is a Kids Club Day against the Huskies, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. Also, kids eat free on the Sports Deck, with the purchase of an adult Sports Deck ticket, and run the bases after the game!

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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 or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the Honkers as your favorite team