Coming into tonight’s contest versus the Mankato MoonDogs (6-7), the Rochester Honkers (10-3) were atop the entire Northwoods League in most offensive categories. Tonight, they did not record a base hit after the second inning as they accrued just three hits in a 3-0 loss that finished their league leading six game winning streak.

Marco Castillo (Georgetown University) reached on an infield single with two outs in the second inning. After that, Josh Lundgren (Illinois) (2-0) and the MoonDogs bullpen would retire 22 Honkers without allowing another base hit. 

Lundgren was fantastic, going six innings without allowing a run. The lefty has now been the starting pitcher in both of the two wins for Mankato vs Rochester. The combination of Caleb Strack (Iowa) and Myles Meyer (American River College) worked the final three innings, with Meyer getting the traditional one inning save.

Mankato added one run in the fourth, fifth and eight innings. The Honkers starter, Dylan Tostrup (USC) (0-1), was tagged with the loss after allowing two earned runs in 4.1 innings. Nolan Tichy (Massachusetts) got the scoring going with an RBI double in the fourth. The home team, playing in front of over 1,300 fans, would add a sacrifice fly from Ty Rumsey (Evansville) in the following inning and a run on a wild pitch in the eight.

Jakob Guardado (Pasadena City College) was tonight’s Central Bark ‘Top Dog of the Night’, allowing just one run in three innings of relief. Jacob Bosse (St. Ambrose University) got the final two outs to give the Honkers a chance for a dramatic win in the ninth. After putting two on with one out, Petey Craska (Georgia Tech) and Castillo struck out to end the game.

With 10 wins, Rochester now is tied for the most wins in the Northwoods League with the Traverse City Pit Spitters. The Honkers will look for revenge tomorrow, on Sun., June 11, as they host the MoonDogs at Mayo Field. Scheduled first pitch time is 5:05 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.