(Eau Claire, Wis.) – The Rochester Honkers (10-12) fell to the Eau Claire Express (9-12) at Carson Park Wednesday night by a score of 8-0. The Honker offense was held to one hit in their third game in the last four days. Zach Zubia (Texas) did not earn a hit, but walked to extend his league-leading on-base streak to 22 games. Johnathan Fleek (Western Illinois) was the only Honker to earn a hit in the game.
Both starting pitchers took control early in the game. Opposing offenses were held scoreless through three and a half innings. Both teams were limited to just two hits.
Eau Claire broke the game open with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The first three batters of the inning reached on two walks and a Honkers’ error. Justin Evans (Columbus State) singled, scoring two runs. Scott Ogrin (Cal Poly) followed with a two-run double. Honkers’ starting pitcher Chia-Ching Ho (National Taiwan Sports University) retired two of the next three batters, but Zach Ashford (Fresno State) extended the Eau Claire lead to six runs with a two-out, two-run double.
Manny Armendariz (Doane) relieved Ho to start the fifth inning. He held the Express hitless in his first two innings of work, but ran into trouble in the seventh inning. Two runs crossed on three hits, extending their lead to eight runs.
Ben Butler (San Jacinto-North) closed the game for the Express by throwing a perfect eighth and ninth inning. He struck out two batters with no walks.
Aaron Shortridge (California) earned the win (1-1) for Eau Claire. He pitched seven scoreless innings, holding the Honkers’ offense to one hit. He struck out seven batters with a walk.
Chia-Ching Ho (National Taiwan Sports University) took the loss (0-1) for Rochester. He pitched four innings, giving up six runs (three earned) and four walks.
The Honkers will stay in Eau Claire for one more night. First pitch tomorrow night from Carson Park is 6:35 p.m. Eddie Mathis (Bellarmine) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers.
After tomorrow night’s game in Eau Claire, the Honkers will return home to face the Express on Friday, June 23rd. It will be Advanced Financial Consultants Night at the ballpark. Bolder Options will be hosting a 50/50 raffle. It will also be a Safe Ride Friday, presented by Yellow Cab of Rochester. First pitch Friday night is 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
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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.
