A two-run top of the tenth inning for the Stingers was the deciding blow in a back-and-forth opener at Mayo Field, 5-3 was the final. Rochester could not capitalize with bases loaded and one out in the eighth and ninth innings, leaving a total of 14 runners on base.
With the game tied in the top of the tenth, a Grant Kerry (Northwest Nazarene) single and error pushed across the go-ahead run for Willmar. Daniel Walsh (Western Carolina) would drive home another on a single to right to put the game out of reach.
The Honkers took the early lead in the ballgame in the home half of the first, Jack Colette (San Jose St) came around to score on a Stinger error with the bases loaded.
The lead would hold thanks to Brendan Knoll’s (Minnesota St Mankato) effort on the mound. The junior was in control through four scoreless innings. Willmar took advantage of a Rochester error in the fifth, a two-RBI single by Carter Howell (Augustana) gave the Stingers the lead.
That would be all Willmar could muster against Knoll, who went 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, no earned runs, a walk, and five strikeouts in his final Honker start.
Trailing going into the seventh, Rochester snatched the lead back with a two-out go-ahead home run by Jack Colette. The two-run shot was his second of the season, driving in RBIs 15 and 16.
The lead would not hold for long, however, as Grant Kerry launched a game-tying solo shot to lead off the eighth, setting up the extra-inning victory.
The Honkers loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth innings with chances to take the lead but could not come through.
Rochester falls to 19-23 on the season and 4-6 on the second half. They close out the series with Willmar tomorrow at Mayo Field; gates open at 5:30 for first pitch scheduled at 6:35.
The Rochester Honkers are in their 28th summer of fun at Mayo Field. Connect with the team on social media by liking them on Facebook at Rochester Honkers Baseball Club and following them on Twitter (@RochHonkers) and Instagram (@HonkersBaseball). Join the conversation by using the hashtag #FunForTheWholeFlock.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league of its kind in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans and provides a friendly ballpark experience. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR) each participated in the NWL before they were MLB stars. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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.
