Dalton Roach strikes out the first 12 Honker batters to earn the win
(Rochester, Minn.) – The Eau Claire Express knocked off the Rochester Honkers 4-0 in Eau Claire, Wis. behind a great start from Dalton Roach (Minnesota State University, Mankato) Tuesday.
The game was delayed one hour due to weather, but that didn’t stop Roach from executing his pitches. The right hander from Eau Claire, struck out the first 12 Honker batters, and finished with 18.
The Express got on the board first after a collision between starting pitcher Erik Cha (Cal State Fullerton) and catcher Brett Harrison (North Dakota) on a pop up between the two. The pop up from Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) ended up on the ground and scored Tommy Hook (Northern Illinois). Tyler Jones (Air Force) followed up with a single up the middle that scored Varsho, giving the Express a 2-0 lead after one.
Jones lined a double down the left field line that scored two, scoring Hook and Mickey McDonald (UI-Chicago) in the bottom of the third, stretching the Express lead to 4-0.
Cha (0-1) threw four innings, struck out four and gave up three earned runs for the Honkers. Roach (1-0) went eight innings, and gave up two hits to go along with his 18 strikeouts. Dylan Smith (Weatherford College) finished it off for Eau Claire on the mound, gathering one strikeout.
Jones led all hitters, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Christopher Scalisi (University of Redlands, Calif.) went 2 for 4 to lead the Honkers.
The Honkers next game is against the Eau Claire Express at Mayo Field Wednesday. First-pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
It’s opening week in Minnesota in the Northwoods League presented by Minnesota College Savings Plan
The Minnesota College Savings Plan, is Minnesota’s official 529 college savings plan. It takes just $25 to start, making it easier for families to save for higher education expenses. Funds saved can be used at colleges, technical schools and grad schools nationwide to cover the cost of tuition, as well as books, supplies and other qualified expenses. Additionally, SavingforCollege.com recently ranked the Minnesota College Savings Plan as one of the nation’s top performing direct sold 529 plans. Find out more at www.mnsaves.org
The Rochester Honkers next game is the home opener at Mayo Field against the Eau Claire Express at 7:05 p.m. The following night, Thursday, the Honkers play host to the Mankato Moondogs at 7:05 p.m. Season tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Rochester honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com.
