The Rochester Honkers (25-23, 7-7) scored ten unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings on their way to a comeback 18-11 victory over the Eau Claire Express (25-23, 5-9).
The Honkers came back from two separate four run deficits and one three run deficit as mixed timely two-out hitting with erratic Eau Claire pitching to push themselves to a third consecutive victory and a series sweep vs the Express.
The visitors at Carson Park trailed 4-0 after the first inning after Honkers starter Cole Mahlum (Dakota County Technical College) allowed a three-run home run to Rayth Petersen (Illinois-Chicago). The Honkers responded in the second inning by scoring four and chasing Eau Claire starter Jake Ammann (Dakota County Technical College).
After Mahlum allowed four more runs (three earned) scattered across three innings, Ben North laced a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning to tie the game at eight.
Sam Hanson (Seattle) (1-0) allowed a three-run home run to Cort MacDonald (Stanford) in the seventh inning, his second of the day. The deficit did not phase The Flock as they responded with seven runs in the next inning. The big hits in the inning came from Andrew Guidara (Westmont) and Cody Borragine (San Joaquin Delta) who both delivered two-out hits to push Rochester in the lead.
The visitors would add three more in the ninth inning before Jackson Lux (Pacific) pitched two scoreless innings to button up the victory. Eau Claire utilized five pitchers, three of which appeared in the eight-run seventh. On the afternoon, they walked thirteen batters as their pitching woes continued.
Rochester has a day off before traveling to Willmar for a two game series with the Stingers. Game one of the series is Tue., Jul 18, with scheduled first pitch time 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.
