The Rochester Honkers (11-7) have hit their lowest point of the season. After starting the season 10-2, the Honkers have now lost five of their last six games. The Waterloo Bucks (8-10), who have won four games in a row, dominated the visitors at Riverfront Stadium on their way to a 11-2 lopsided victory.
The Honkers struck first in the top of the first inning on an RBI single from Petey Craska (Georgia Tech). After that, the Bucks would score eleven unanswered runs in a game where the Honkers left fifteen runners on base.
Dylan Tostrup (USC) (0-2) survived just three innings and was given the loss after surrendering four runs. Waterloo countered the Honkers’ opening strike with three runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning. They scored the trio of runs on three hits, aided by a walk and hit by pitch.
The hosts, playing in front of almost 1,100 fans, would stay quiet until the sixth inning. In the sixth, they added three more and pushed the contest out of reach with four runs in the seventh inning. Overall, Waterloo recorded 12 hits – with every batter in the lineup contributing at least one base knock.
The Honkers, who entered tonight tied for the fewest errors in the Northwoods League with 17, committed three tonight. The most consequential was a fielding error by Marco Castillo (Georgetown) at second base, which allowed two extra runs to score in Waterloo’s four-run seventh inning.
Jakob Guardado (Pasadena College) allowed a season-high three runs in 2.2 innings of relief, while Tyler Frey (Wingate University) allowed four runs (two earned runs) in one inning. Sam Hanson (Seattle University) came on and secured the final four outs without giving up a run.
Offensively, the Honkers went down quietly for the second consecutive game against Waterloo. They matched their total of two runs from last night with a pair tonight, stranding the eye opening 15 runners on base along the way. They left the bases loaded in the seventh and eight innings as they failed to put any pressure on the Bucks’ relief core.
Seth White (Santa Barbara City College) worked around six walks and lasted 4.1 innings, allowing just the one run. The win went to Andrew Dusablon (1-2) (Cypress College) after a sturdy 1.2 innings of relief. Waterloo used five pitchers to extend their winning streak and move to just three games behind Rochester in the suddenly tight Great Plains East.
Rochester looks to right the ship tomorrow on Sat., June 17, as they return to Mayo Field for a duel vs the Minot Hot Tots (3-13). Scheduled first pitch time is 6:35 p.m.
The Rochester Honkers began their 30th season of play on May 29th. Keep up with the team on social media by following them on Twitter (@RochHonkers) and Instagram (@honkersbaseball) and like the Honkers on Facebook at Rochester Honkers Baseball Club. Interact on social by using the hashtag #FunForTheWholeFlock!
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 310 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
