A four-run first inning powered by four extra-base hits carried Rochester to a 6-1 win over Eau Claire. The win secured a series split heading into the All-Star break. Rochester notched 13 hits in the ballgame and saw three pitchers combine to allow just one run.

The Honkers’ four-run first proved to be a deciding factor this afternoon. Jackson Forbes (San Jose St) led off with a double to left-center to extend his on-base streak to 25 games. His San Jose St teammate Jack Colette drove a double of his own to bring Forbes to the plate and give the Honkers an early lead. Two batters later, Benjamin Rosengard (Rice) delivered a third opposite-field double of the inning for RBI number six on the summer.

Jason Swan (Georgia Southern) capped the inning with a big blow, a two-run homer to left to give Rochester a four-run lead. The homer was Swan’s first of the summer, driving RBI 12 and 13.

Despite being held off the scoreboard again until the eighth, Rochester maintained its lead thanks to excellent pitching. All-Star starter Brant Alazaus (Walsh) displayed excellent control to keep a surging Express lineup at bay. The junior tossed five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and striking out seven on his way to a win.

The Honker bullpen provided four scoreless innings in relief to close out the win. Patrick Williams (Lipscomb) worked a scoreless sixth and Jay Thompson (Georgia Southern) earned his third save with three shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Rochester added two more runs in the eighth inning on a Mike Bolton Jr (Purdue) sacrifice fly and Zach
Cole (Ball St) RBI single.

The Honkers improve to 21-24 and 6-7 in the second half as the team head’s into the All-Star break. Rochester is back in action on Thursday at 6:35 against the La Crosse Loggers at Mayo Field.

By Nick DeLuca//Broadcasting and Media Relations Intern