Home Runs Lead Honkers to Victory over Express

(Rochester, Minn.) – A three-run home run from Drew Ellis (Louisville) in the bottom of the seventh broke a 3-3 tie, to push the Honkers to a 6-3 victory over the Eau Claire Express Thursday night at Mayo Field.

The Honkers took the lead in the first, when Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) hit an RBI single. Casey Worden (UC Riverside) made it 3-0, hitting a two-run home run in the first.

Ben Mezzenga (Minnesota) hit an RBI single for the Express in the fourth to cut the Honkers lead to 3-1. The Express tied the game at four when Rudy Rott (Ohio University) hit a two-run home run in the fifth.

After a scoreless sixth inning, the Honkers threated with runners on first and second and two out. Ellis then connected on his second home run of the season to give the Honkers a 6-3 victory.

Houston Glad got the start for the Honkers; he went 4.1 innings, allowed two runs on four hits, walked four and struck out three. Sam Bjorngjeld (2-1) (Tulane) got the win for Rochester; he went 2.2 innings, allowed one run on one hit, walked two and struck out two. Hunter Van Horn (Clemson) got his first save of the year; he threw the final 1.2 innings, allowed one hit and struck out one.

Austin Schulfer (Milwaukee) got the start for the Express; he pitched six innings, allowed three runs on four hits and struck out three. Johnathon Tripp (New Mexico) got the loss for the Express; he went one innings, allowed three runs on four hits and walked one.

Ellis got the big hit for the Honkers; he went 1 for 2 with three RBI, scored one run and was hit by a pitch twice. Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) went 2 for 4 with two runs scored to help the Honkers’ offense.

Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) went 2 for 4 to pace the Express’ offense. 

The Honkers are in Eau Claire tomorrow night to play the same Express team, first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. The Honkers are back at home starting Saturday for a weekend series with the Duluth Huskies. First pitch on Saturday is set for 7:05 p.m. Saturday is Fireworks Extravaganza night at Mayo Field presented by Olmsted Medical Center and ABC 6 News! Sunday is a Kids Club Day! First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and Kids Eat on the Sports Deck for Free, with the purchase of an adult ticket! Also, Kids 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