An offensive explosion in the middle innings saw Rochester secure a series split at home. The Honkers ran into some trouble early as the Stingers jumped out to an early lead. Four singles by Reid Homan, (North Alabama) Gavin Baker, (Iowa Central) Jack Hansen, (Gustavus Adolphis) and TJ Curd (Arizona) led the way for a three-run second inning. Willmar added runs in the fourth and fifth, a leadoff solo homer by Carter Howell (Augustana) and RBI-single by Steve Ramirez (Purdue) staked Willmar to a 5-0 advantage after four.

From there it was all Rochester. The Honkers broke through on the scoreboard in the fifth on a Marco Castillo (Claremont McKenna) RBI-double and cut into the deficit further with an Ivan Witt (Creighton) single. The Honkers used a four-run sixth to take the lead, Marco Castillo drove in another with a fielder’s choice, and Eric Rataczak’s (Post Grad) single made it a one run game. In his first of two big hits of the night, Otto Grimm delivered a go-ahead 2-RBI double.

Marco Castillo’s second double of the night added on for Rochester in the seventh, and Ivan Witt and Eric Rataczak singles set the table for Otto Grimm, bombing his first home run of the year to right to put the game out of reach.

The Honkers would add five for good measure in the eighth inning, an Alex Pimentel (Long Beach) walk, Sam Hojnar (Iowa) hit by pitch, Seth Betts (Crown College) walk and Cam Thompson (Purdue) double allowed Rochester to pad its lead.

Rochester hitters broke a string of twelve consecutive scoreless innings dating back to last night to plate  17 runs in the ballgame on 17 hits, five of which went for extra bases.

Brant Alazaus (Walsh) recorded his first win of the season as the Honkers starter tonight, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits and striking out 6.

The Honkers move back to .500 at 3-3 on the season, they take on the Bismark Larks tomorrow night at Mayo Field. First pitch at 5:05 pm.

Nick DeLuca//Broadcasting and Media Relations Intern