The Rochester Honkers (13-9) dropped the away half of a home and a home series vs the Eau Claire Express (10-10) tonight on Tue., June 20. The Honkers are now tied for first place in the Great Plains East with the Duluth Huskies (12-8).

The game was tied through six innings after strong pitching from both starters. Cole Ronan (Hawaii) allowed just one run through five innings, needing to use just 66 pitches. Daniel Zang (Dakota County Technical College) also went five innings, surrendering two runs on two hits and four walks.

Eau Claire, who advanced to 6-2 at Carson Park with the win, scored on an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI double from Rayth Petersen (Illinois-Chicago) to make the score 2-1. Rochester responded in the visitors half of the sixth inning with an RBI single from Brendan O’Sullivan (UNLV). The Honkers would load the bases in the inning but could not scratch across another run as Logan Mock (San Joaquin Delta) flew out to end the threat.

The big hit in the contest came in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, Reed Latimer (Montevallo) crushed a 3-1 fastball from Sean Head (San Joaquin Delta) (1-1) for a three-run home run that gave the Express a 5-2 lead.

The Honkers got the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, but pinch-hitter Paul Schoenfeld (Colorado Mesa) was caught looking on a slider from Express closer Matt Helwig (Lewis) to end the game. The result ended Rochester’s mini two game winning streak, while it snapped Eau Claire’s three-game skid and moved them just two games back of a share of the division lead.

Rochester plays two games tomorrow versus Duluth. The doubleheader will go a long way to deciding who is granted automatic qualification into the Northwoods League playoffs as the first half champions of the Great Plains East. 12:05 p.m. and 6:35 p.m. are the scheduled first pitch times.

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.