In the first game of their seven-game homestand, the Rochester Honkers (21-20, 3-4) welcomed the Bismarck Larks (18-23, 2-5) into Mayo Field for a two-game series. Rochester went up early on the Larks and kept the pedal down as they cruised to a 12-6 victory.

Cole Mahlum (Dakota County Technical College) got the start on the mound for the Honkers and was coming off of a rough outing where he walked ten batters in 2 2/3 innings on July 1st against Mankato. He faired much better against Bismarck as he retired the side in order in the first inning.

The Honkers got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning. Bismarck’s starter, Andrew Hansen (Fort Hayes State), lost control of his pitches and walked three batters, hit two more, and allowed two hits resulting in a five-run frame for Rochester.

Bismarck answered with a solo home run by Ben Rosengard (Rice) in the top of the third, but that’s all Bismarck would get until the eighth inning.

In the fourth inning, Nico Regino (Charleston Southern) smacked a two-run blast over the left-field wall. The Honkers tacked on three more in the fifth and took a commanding 10-1 lead.

Mahlum had a phenomenal day and, without a doubt, his best start this season by tossing six innings of one-run ball and scattering five hits. He earned his first win as the Honkers once again climbed above .500.

The bullpen was shaky as Hayden Hable (Southern Arkansas) and Corbin Barker (UC Riverside) allowed five combined runs over the final two innings. However, the Larks were down by too many runs and ultimately could not complete the comeback.

The Larks and Honkers play again tomorrow in the series’ final game. First pitch is at 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.