(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers fell to the Eau Claire Express 5-2 in Eau Claire Saturday night.
In the first, the Honkers took a 1-0 lead when Josh Hauser (UT-Martin) hit an RBI-single to score Brett Harrison (North Dakota).
In the fifth, the Express scored three runs to take the lead. Cody Bohanek (UIC) hit a sacrifice fly to score the first Express run of the game. Mickey McDonald (UI – Chicago) hit an RBI-single, followed by Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) RBI single to score McDonald to give the Express a 3-1 lead.
The Honkers cut the lead to 3-2 in the seventh when Kyle Kasser (Oregon) hit an RBI single. In the bottom of the seventh, McDonald drove in his second run of the game, followed by Varsho who hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-2.
David Worrell (1-5) (Corpus Christi) got the start and the loss for the Honkers; he pitched five innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out three. Brett Herber (Winona State) pitched two innings in relief; he allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits.
Jameson Lavery (2-1) (UW-La Crosse) got win and the start for the Express; he pitched six innings, allowed one run on seven hits, waked one and struck out two. Dylan Smith (5) (Weatherford College) got the save as he threw the final inning in relief; he allowed one hit and struck out two.
Kasser went 2-for-3 with an RBI while Harrison went 2-for-3 with a run scored to lead the Honkers. McDonald went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Varsho went 2-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Express.
The Honkers fall to 10-12 in the second half and 17-40 overall, while the Express advance to 11-10 in the second half and 36-21 overall.
The Honkers are back at Mayo Field Sunday to take on the Express! Sunday is Winona State Rochester Day at Mayo Field, Kids eat free on the Sports Deck, with the purchase of an Adult Sports Deck Ticket, and Kids Run the Bases after the game! It is also is Kid Club Day! Also, Bob and Steve’s “Corn Sunday” on the Sports Deck! The Honkers take on the Mankato MoonDogs on Monday at Mayo Field on Kid’s Three Buck Day presented by Perkins where Kids 12 and under gain General Admission for only $3.00! First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. and gates open at 11:00! The Honkers will then travel to Mankato to take on the MoonDogs in the second game of a double header. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
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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!
