(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (16-17) lost to the Willmar Stingers (18-16) by a score of 10-1 Sunday afternoon at Mayo Field. The Honkers managed four hits off Willmar pitching, scoring the lone run on a solo home run in the seventh inning. Zach Zubia (Texas) extended his league-leading on-base streak to 33 games with two walks.
The Stingers struck first in the top of the second inning. Marc Coffers (Florida Gulf Coast) led off the inning with a double to center field. After a wild pitch moved him to third base, Coffers scored on a single by Nate Sterijevski (Bethune-Cookman).
The Willmar starting pitcher, Polo Portela (Sacrmento City), entered the day with a perfect 0.00 ERA in 26.2 innings. The Honkers only managed two hits off Portela, but made a threat to score in the third inning. With two outs, Weston Hatten (Nevada) doubled to right-center field. Zach Zubia (Texas) followed with a walk, but a pop out ended the threat without any runs scored.
The Rochester starting pitcher, Drew Slade (Ripon), pitched well in his third start of the season. He held the Stingers’ offense to one run on three hits through five innings, retiring 13 consecutive batters at one point, but ran into trouble in the sixth inning. Nolan Bumstead (Cal. State Northridge) and Danny Rodriguez (Bethune-Cookman) both hit two-out home runs, scoring three runs.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (UC Irvine) broke the shutout with a solo home run to left field for the Honkers in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Sterijevski answered for the Stingers in the top of the eighth inning by driving in two more runs on a two-out single to center field, scoring Coffers and Rodriguez.
Willmar scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning on five walks and one hit, giving the Stingers a nine-run victory.
Portela earned the win (4-1) for the Stingers. He pitched six scoreless innings, giving up two hits while striking out four batters and walking three.
Slade took the loss (3-1) for the Honkers. He pitched seven innings, giving up three earned runs on six hits while striking out two batters and walking one.
The Honkers will finish a three-game homestand tomorrow, July 3, with a matchup against the Mankato MoonDogs. It is Dress Like a Pirate Get Booty Night at the ballpark. First 250 fans dressed will receive a free bag of booty! First pitch is 7:05 p.m. Gates at 6:00 p.m. Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. Collin Floyd (Youngstown State) is scheduled to pitch for the MoonDogs.
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