(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (7-4 Second Half, 23-23 Overall) fell to the Bismarck Larks (7-6, 23-25) by a score of 4-3. The Honkers nearly overcame a two-run deficit twice, but could not complete the comeback.
The Larks jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning on solo home runs by Connor Perry (Pittsburgh) and Ryan Anderson (UC Davis).
Zach Zubia (Texas) answered for the Honkers in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out solo home run to right field, his league-leading 17th of the season. Zubia is now two home runs from tying the single season team record (19) held by Jason Washam in 1994.
The Rochester starting pitcher, Chia-Ching Ho (National Taiwan Sports University), settled into the game, retiring 14 consecutive batters after the home run by Anderson.
Newt Johnson (South Dakota State) extended the Bismarck lead in the top of the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly to left field, which scored Perry from third base.
The Honkers answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth inning. Morgan McCullough (Oregon) led off the inning with a double to left-center field. After a wild pitch moved McCullough to third base, he scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Konnor Zickefoose (UC Irvine).
A solo home run in the top of the seventh inning by Larks’ second baseman Luke Waldek (Minnesota State-Mankato) returned the Bismarck lead to two runs.
The Honkers rallied again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ethan Ibarra (St. Cloud State) grounded out to first base, which allowed Griffin Neuer (Bellarmine) to score from third base. The Honkers put runners on first and third base for Zubia, but the Flock was unable to cash in.
Nick Boyles (UNC-Asheville) earned the win (2-2) for the Larks. He pitched five innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out three batters and walking two.
Ho took the loss (1-2) for the Honkers. He pitched six and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on four hits while striking out three batters and walking two.
Jake Kari (Augsburg) earned his first save of the season after pitching the final two innings of the game. He held the Rochester offense scoreless on two hits while striking out two batters.
The Honkers finish the series against the Larks on Friday, July 21. It will be #FakeNews Night, presented by Z-ROCK 107.7. It is also a Safe Ride Friday, presented by Yellow Cab of Rochester. There will be a 50/50 Raffle for Bolder Options. Beau O’Hara (Texas) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. O’Hara is 2-1 this season with a 4.26 ERA. Andy Lalonde (Southern New Hampshire) is scheduled to pitch for the Larks. Lalonde is 3-4 this season with a 3.34 ERA.
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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.
