Better late than never. The Honkers are off and running with their first win in 2024 after beating Eau Claire 8-5.
The offense loaded the bases in the first inning but failed to push a run across. A similar opportunity presented itself in the second, and this time, the Rochester Capitalized. Henry Wright doubled in a run and Noah Rodriguez collected an RBI single. Just an inning later, Rodriguez did it again and he finished 2/4.
Later, Ryan Tiger homered for the second straight day and Petey Craska launched a homer to the opposite field to break the game open. Augusto Mungarrieta went 3/4 and scored twice.
Rochester got their best start of the year from Sam George, who tossed six innings of one-run ball. George allowed five hits, struck out three and walked just one hitter.
From there, the bullpen finally waivered, surrendering four runs in the eighth, but the late push from Eau Claire wasn’t enough as the Honkers rolled to their first win of the year.
Next up, Rochester will hit the road for a two-game set in La Crosse. Starting tonight.
The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit northwoodsleague.com/rochester-honkers or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Honkers as your favorite team.
