(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (9-13 Second Half, 25-32 Overall) lost the season series finale against the La Crosse Loggers (12-13, 26-33) by a score of 7-5 on Sunday afternoon at Mayo Field. Zach Zubia (Texas) hit his league-leading 18th home run in the first inning, slotting himself one-shy of tying the single-season team record held by Jason Washam in 1994. The three home runs hit today by the Honkers total 67 home runs this season, two away from breaking the Northwoods League single-season record held by the 2012 Honkers team.
David Villar (South Florida) gave the Loggers the lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run home run to left-center field.
The Honkers answered with a single and a walk to start the bottom of the first inning. Zubia followed with a three-run home run to left field to claim the lead.
After two scoreless frames, Nate Heili (UW-La Crosse) singled in the top of the fourth inning for the Loggers and tied the game at 3-3 on a two-out passed ball.
Three runs scored on four hits for the Loggers in the top of the fifth inning. Villar doubled to right field with no outs, which brought in two runners. Two batters later, Jeremy Ydens (UCLA) hit an RBI single to left field, giving La Crosse a 6-3 lead.
Michael Michalak (Des Moines Area CC) and Jordan Hart (Minnesota State-Mankato) hit solo home runs for the Honkers late in the game, but the Rochester could not complete the comeback.
An insurance run in the ninth inning gave the Loggers enough breathing room to secure the win. Grant Ford (Nevada) entered to pitch four batters into the ninth inning and earned his second save of the season after retiring the final batter of the game.
Peter Hamot (Lewis) earned the win (3-1) for the Loggers. He pitched six innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out seven batters and walking two.
Michael Stryffeler (Lake Erie) took the loss (0-4) for the Honkers. He pitched six innings, giving up five earned runs on eight hits while striking out two batters and walking one.
The Honker will continue the three-game homestand tomorrow, July 31, with the series opener against the Duluth Huskies. It will be Channel One Food Drive Night. Make sure to bring nonperishable food items to the game to stock the Channel One Regional Food Bank. Manny Armendariz (Doane) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. Armendariz is 3-1 this season with a 2.86 ERA. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
###
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, more than 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.
