Rochester was on the short end of a low-scoring affair in the opener of a home-and-home in St. Cloud. The Honkers mustered just four hits against Rox pitching in a 3-1 defeat. Trailing for most of the ballgame, Rochester brought the tying- run into scoring position but could not capitalize.

The Rox jumped out to a three-run lead after two to begin the ballgame, taking advantage of an error to score in the first and an Andrew Pinckney (Alabama) two-run double in the second.

The Honkers battled back to score their lone run of the ballgame in the sixth, Mac Horvath (North Carolina) drilled a double down the left-field line to plate Jackson Forbes. (San Jose St)

Rochester loaded the basses in the seventh on a Nico Regino (Delta) single and walks by JJ Cruz (Cal St Fullerton) and Jackson Forbes. The rally fell short as Connor Barison (Washington St) was able to escape the jam with a strikeout.

The Honkers remained in the ballgame thanks to excellent work from their pitching staff. Michael Portela (Gardner Webb) allowed two-earned runs in four innings,  four hits, two-walks, and notched two strikeouts.

Patrick Williams (Lipscomb) worked four shutout innings in relief for Rochester, yielding just two hits and striking out two. It was the freshman’s longest outing of the summer.

The Honkers fall to 26-28 on the summer and 11-11 in the second half. They conclude the home-and-home with St. Cloud tomorrow night with first pitch from Mayo Field Scheduled at 5:05.

By Nick DeLuca//Broadcasting and Media Relations Intern