ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Honkers’ pitching staff allowed just two hits as their stellar performances helped Rochester to a Friday night victory against Thunder Bay.

Zack Serup got his second win of the season behind five and a third scoreless innings. Manny Lopez, AJ Rasmussen, and Nick Bauer were all excellent out of the bullpen, combining to no-hit the Border Cats across the final three and two-thirds innings. 

Maddox Haley put together maybe his strongest hitting performance, finishing 4-4 on the day. 

Miguel Cantu also had a multi-hit day, including a double in his Mayo Field debut, as the Honkers plated eight after being shut out on Thursday night in La Crosse.

Payton Knowles finished 1-4 and led the team on the day with two RBIs.

The Honkers took the lead in the first inning with a Luke Stulga RBI. They added three more in the third. After stranding key baserunners, the game remained in reach entering the seventh inning.

The Honkers salted the game away, plating four in the ninth.

The Honkers and Border Cats will face off for Game Two of four on Saturday evening. Brady Lejuene-Deactuis (1-0) will get the start for Rochester, facing off against Mason Kosowick. First pitch from Mayo Field is set for 6:35 PM CT.

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. Now in its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 400 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com) and ESPN+. For more information, visit the Rochester Honkers website 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.