The Rochester Honkers (16-14) put themselves back in the thick of the race for the Great Plains East first half championship with a 19-2 victory versus the Minnesota Mud Puppies (6-11).
Rochester, coming off a 8-6 loss yesterday in extra innings, got it done early and often tonight. After four innings, the Honkers led 16-1.
The Honkers actually trailed 1-0 after the top half of the first inning, but immediately took the lead on a two-out two-RBI double from Kyle Fossum (Washington) in the bottom of the first to stake a 3-1 lead.
They would tack on three more in the home half of the second inning on a three run home run from Kimo Fukofuka (San Jose State). The second year Honker is now tied for the lead atop the entire Northwoods League with seven home runs.
The big inning for the Honkers was the third – they would score ten runs in a frame where every single Honkers batter would score a run. Ian Duagherty (Oklahoma State) got the party started with a lead-off solo home run, his first of the season. Overall, they scored ten runs on six hits – aided by two errors from the Mud Puppies with two outs.
Standouts from Rochester were Fukofuka, who finished with five RBIs, and Petey Craska (Georgia Tech) who launched his third home run of the season and was on base six times while contributing four walks.
Easton Richter (Saint Louis) started for the Honkers and allowed one run in 3.2 innings. Max Meyer (Frontier College) got the win going 2.1 innings in relief while allowing one run. Trevor Lee (Wichita State) and Jakob Guardado (Pasadena City) did not allow a run in two innings and one inning, respectively.
The Honkers are now just one game back of the division lead with four games remaining. They travel to Mankato tomorrow for the first game of a home and home series. First pitch is scheduled for 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.
