(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers fell to the St. Cloud Rox 15-5 on American Dairy Association Night at Mayo Field Friday night.

 

The Rox got on the board right away, scoring two runs in the first inning. It started with a Michael Strem (Boston College) RBI single, and was followed with a RBI single by Brett Pope (Western Carolina University) to give the Rox a 2-0 lead.

 

The Honkers tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, when they got a RBI triple from Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) and an RBI on a Casey Worden ground out.

 

The Rox added another run in the second, and then three more in the third. Pope hit another RBI single, and then Brandon Benson (Georgai College) walked with the bases loaded, followed by a fielder’s choice by Marcus Carson (Kentucky) to score another run to take a 6-2 lead.

 

The Rox made it 7-2 with a run in the fourth, but the Honkers came back with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Turner Buis (Cal State Fullerton) walked with the bases loaded to bring in a run, then Fitchett bounced into a double play, but brought in another run. Casey Worden (UC Riverside) then hit a RBI single to cut the Rox lead to 7-5.

 

The Honkers could gain any traction the rest of the way, as the Rox scored one run in the seventh, five runs in the eighth and two runs in the ninth to win the game 15-5.

 

Jackson Douglas (0-3) (Iowa Western CC) got the start and the loss for the Honkers; he went three innings, allowed six runs, five of them earned, on eight hits, three walks and struck out two. The Honkers used six pitchers out of the bullpen, including Brett Herber (Winona State) who threw three innings and allowed one run on five hits.

 

Logan Salow (Kentucky) went 4.1 innings in his start for the Rox; he allowed five runs on six hits, walked five and struck out three. Chris Martin (2-0) (Kent State University) earned the win in his 1.1 innings of work; he struck out two and did not allow a hit. Collin Strall (6) (Louisiana State University) earned his sixth save of the season; he pitched the final four innings, allowed four hits and struck out four.

Worden went 2 for 5 with two RBI to lead the Honkers’ offense, and Drew Ellis (Louisville) went 2 for4 to help the offense move. Buis advanced his hitting streak to 14 games with a double in the ninth inning.

 

Strem led the Rox’s offense; he went 4 for 5 with three RBI and four runs scored. Pope went 3 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored to help lead the offense as well.

 

The Honkers fall to 0-3 in the second half and 7-31 overall, while the Rox advance to 1-1 in the second half and move to 25-12 overall.

 

Animal All-Star Weekend continues Saturday on Bark in the Park night presented by Leashes and Leads! Bring your dog on a leash and you both get a general admission ticket for free! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6 as the Honkers take on the same Rox team! Sunday the Honkers will take on the Willmar Stingers for an afternoon affair. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. and gates open at Noon! Kids eat free on the Sports Deck, with the purchase of an Adult Sports Deck Ticket, and run the bases after the game! Also, it is a Kids Club Day! It is also I Bike/Walk Rochester presented by Olmsted Count Public Health! Park and walk from the designated parking lot and get one free ticket per walker! Ride your bike to the game and get a free ticket per bike rider! All tickets are while supplies last!

 

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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