(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (3-2 Second Half, 19-21 Overall) took down the Waterloo Bucks (3-2, 27-14) by a score of 6-4 Sunday afternoon at Mayo Field. The Honkers scored six runs in two innings to overcome a 0-3 deficit for the win. Rochester took advantage of three Waterloo errors and walked 11 times. The Honker manager Trevor Hairgrove was ejected from the game in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Bucks scored two runs in the top of the first inning off four hits and a Honker error. Tyler Stover (UL Lafayette) singled to center field with two runners on base, scoring Drew Greenwood (Bellarmine). The throw home from Jordan Hart (Minnesota State-Mankato) got past the Rochester catcher, allowing the runners to move to second and third. Two batters later, Charlie Concannon (St. Joseph’s) singled to center field. Zach Malis (Grand Canyon) scored, but Hart redeemed himself by throwing out Stover at home plate for the final out of the inning.
The Rochester starting pitcher, Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie), held Waterloo scoreless in three consecutive innings starting in the second inning. Waterloo extended their lead off Stryffeler in the fifth inning. Greenwood hit a sacrifice fly to left field which scored Dalton Hurd (Seattle) from third base.
Zach Zubia (Texas) nearly tied the game with two runners on base in the bottom of the fifth inning. Zubia hit a long fly ball to left field. Concannon jumped at the fence to rob Zubia of a home run.
Konnor Zickefoose (UC Irvine) singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a wild pitch moved him to second, he scored on an error by the Waterloo shortstop. Three batters later, Ethan Ibarra (St. Cloud State) scored on a wild pitch.
The Honkers returned in the bottom of the seventh inning to load the bases with no outs. Ryan Fitzpatrick (UC Irvine) walked, scoring Morgan McCullough (Oregon), which tied the game. Two batters later, Ibarra singled to center field which scored Johnathan Fleek (Western Illinois) and gave the Honkers their first lead of the game. Chris Ceballos (Orange Coast) added to the lead with a two-run single.
The Bucks threatened late, drawing four walks, which scored a run, off the Rochester closer Garrett Cobb (Seminole State). Cobb was able to close out the game for his seventh save of the season.
Joe Wills (Cal. State Fullerton) earned the win for the Honkers in his second appearance of the season. He pitched three scoreless innings, giving up only one hit while striking out five batters and walking one.
Tyler Booth (SE Louisiana) took the loss (0-1) for the Bucks. He pitched one inning, giving up four runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out two batters and walking two.
The Honkers head on the road tomorrow to finish the series against the Waterloo Bucks. First pitch from Riverfront Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Chia Ching Ho (National Taiwan Sports University) is slated to pitch for the Honkers. Ho is 0-1 this season with a 4.05 ERA. Zachary Patterson (Arkansas State) is scheduled to pitch for the Bucks. Patterson is 1-3 this season with a 5.89 ERA.
The next home game for the Honkers is Thursday, July 13, against the Waterloo Bucks. It will be Field of Future Stars Night, presented by Meshbesher & Spence. All RYBA, RYSA, RYHA, girl’s softball, and Miracle League players that wear their uniform tops will receive a free general admission ticket. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a 50/50 raffle for Bolder Options. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. 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, 180 former 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 portal. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Honkers as your favorite team.
