ROCHESTER, MINN – The Rochester Honkers lost 19-3 to the Mankato MoonDogs on Thursday night at Mayo Field. 

Mankato took the lead in the top of the second with three runs against the Honkers starter Jacob Smith (University of Tennessee at Martin). With the bases loaded and two outs Sean Ross (Indiana State) cleared the bases with a three run double. The Honkers quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning on a two run single from Alex Ritzer (UNC). Rochester tied the game after Theo Hardy (San Jose State) scored on a wild pitch. 

After the third inning it was all MoonDogs. They scored six runs in the fourth to take a 9-3 lead. Sean Ross delivered another RBI, this time on a single, to make it 4-3. Two batters later Brendan Hord (Evansville) cracked a two run double to make it 7-3. Charles McAdoo (San Jose State) added another RBI of his own with a run scoring double. 

The Honkers bats were quieted the rest of the way as the MoonDogs starter, Mitchel Casperson (Gustavus Adolphus), settled in and gave up just three runs over five. Mankato got four scoreless innings from their bullpen and the MoonDogs lineup added two more runs in the fifth and seventh, as well as five in the ninth to make it 19-3. 

With the loss the Honkers fall to 8-9 in the second half. Rochester looks for the series split Friday night at ISG Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. from Mankato.