(Marshall, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (2-3) fell to the Thunder Bay Border Cats (2-3) on Saturday 4-2. The game was played at Legion Field in Marshall, Minnesota after being moved from Port Arthur Stadium due to poor field conditions. The game featured good pitching from both teams’ starting pitchers, both of which received no-decisions. A three-run seventh inning for Thunder Bay was the difference in the game. Michael Bohlke (Bethel) earned the win (1-0) for the Border Cats. Eddie Mathis (Bellarmine) took the loss (0-2) for Rochester. Brady Hill (Belmont Abby) earned his second save of the season.
Ryan Thompson (Illinois) pitched well for the Honkers, throwing six innings. He gave up one run on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
Thunder Bay struck first against Thompson in the second inning. A one-out walk led to an RBI single by Nick Ciandro (Cabrillo) to give the Border Cats a 1-0 lead.
Rees Rua (Lake Erie) singled with one out in the third inning. A balk moved him to second and he came into score after two Border Cat errors.
The Thunder Bay starting pitcher, Patrick Ryan (Iona), had started to settle in until Honkers’ first baseman Zach Zubia (Texas) homered to lead off the sixth inning, giving Rochester their first lead of the game. Ryan pitched 5.2 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on seven hits. He walked two batters with six strikeouts.
The Border Cats reclaimed the lead in the seventh inning off the Honkers’ bullpen. Three runs crossed on six hits for Thunder Bay. More damage could have been done, but a bases-loaded groundout got the Honkers out of the inning.
Rochester made a comeback effort in the ninth with a leadoff double by Ethan Ibarra (St. Cloud State), but the Honkers were unable to make anything of it.
Rochester will stay in Marshall for another night. Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie) will make his first start on the mound for the Honkers. First pitch from Legion Field Sunday is 1:35 pm.
The Flock will be back at Mayo Field on Thursday, June 8th to take on the Eau Claire Express. Come to the ball game for TeamUp/Miracle Field Kick Off Night, presented by Meshbesher & Spence.
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