ROCHESTER, Minn – A dominant fifth inning lifted the Honkers to their first home win of the season, bolstered by a standout pitching debut from Ethan Dillinger.
Dillinger was outstanding in his first Honkers’ game with a shutout five innings. The Air Force cadet saw 22 batters, allowed just five hits, and struck out four. His dominant performance earned him a win in his first ever Northwoods League Game.
Joel Roberts continued his red-hot streak with a perfect 4-4 night behind the plate to go along with two RBI’s. It was his sacrifice fly that opened the scoring in the third inning.
The Honkers plated one more in the fourth, but it was the fifth when they opened up the heavens. Hits from six different Honkers batters helped score seven runs, blowing open the game.
Marcus Champagne would take over pitching duties and despite allowing four in the sixth inning, rallied to earn his first save as a Honker.
Both teams will travel to Eau Claire tomorrow, Friday, June 5th.
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 32nd 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.
