(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (6-7) put up double-digit runs for the third time this season in a 10-4 victory over the Bismarck Larks (7-6). The Honkers are 5-0 when their offense scores at least seven runs. Every batter in the Rochester lineup earned at least one hit and a run in the game.
Scooter Bynum (Northern Illinois) gave Bismarck the lead early in the first with a two-run double. The Honkers responded by starting the bottom of the first with four consecutive hits. After a RBI single by Zach Zubia (Texas), Weston Hatten (Nevada) capped off the inning with a three-run home run.
Beau O’Hara (Texas) came into pitch in the second inning after Honkers’ starting pitcher Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie) left the game with an injury. O’Hara pitched well, throwing five innings, while only giving up a run with five strikeouts. He earned his first win (1-0) of the season.
The Honker offense went deep four times on the night. Ethan Ibarra (St. Cloud State), Jordan Hart (Minnesota State-Mankato), and Griffin Neuer (Bellarmine) homered for the Honkers to lock up the win. Michael Michalak (DMACC) went three-for-four with two runs scored.
Cullen Smith (East Tennessee State) hit a solo home run for the Larks in the eighth inning, but it was not enough to spark a comeback.
Ryan Byrd (Creighton) took the loss (1-1) for the Larks. He pitched 4.0 innings, giving up five runs with a walk and four strikeouts.
The Honkers and Larks will stay in town for another night. They will have a rematch tomorrow night at 7:05 pm. Gates open at 6 pm. Monday is Portrait Night, presented by Salt & Pepper Photography and 106.9 KROC. All fans can have free portrait photo taken at the game. Cameron Aufderheide (Colorado Springs) is scheduled to make the start against the Larks. Aufderheide is 0-1 this season with a 10.50 ERA.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 23-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 160 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
