(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers fell in game two to the Mankato MoonDogs 3-1 after another strong start from the Honkers’ starter Cameron Aufderheide (Saddle Back College) who went seven innings and allowed three runs.
The Honkers took a 1-0 led in the first inning when Drew Ellis (Louisville) groundedout to the pitcher, but scored Kyle Kasser (Oregon).
The MoonDogs came right back with a solo shot from Jordan Washam (La Tech) to tie the game at one after two innings of play.
Aufderheide and MoonDogs’ starter Ricky Digrugilliers (Western Illinois) each put up on the zeros until the seventh inning when the MoonDogs took the lead for good. With runners on second and third, David Metzgar (Cal State Bakersfield) hit a RBI single, to score Alex Tucker, and then Alvaro Rubalcaba scored on the same play to make the score 3-1 and get the MoonDogs the victory.
Aufderheide (1-1) took the loss for the Honkers; he went seven innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out three. Brett Herber (Winona State) threw one inning in relief and struck out one.
Digrugilliers (6-2) collected the win for Mankato; he went nine innings, allowed one run on four hits, walked on and struck out four.
Ellis went 1-for-4 with one RBI to lead the Honkers, while Miles Lewis (North Dakota) went 1-for-3.
Metzgar went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Washam went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the MoonDogs.
The Honkers fall to 11-14 in the second half and 18-42 overall, while the MoonDogs advance to 16-8 and 38-11 overall.
Tuesday, the Honkers hit the road to take on the Duluth Huskies. The Honkers and Huskies will play on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games starting at 6:35 p.m. The Honkers will be back at home on Thursday to take on the Battle Creek Bombers for Team Trading Card Set Night presented by Pepsi and 106.9 KROC, where the first 1,000 fans will get a set of team trading cards. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6. The Honkers will take on the Bombers again for Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Wells Fargo and ABC 6 News. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6:00!
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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!
