(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (4-6) took down the Eau Claire Express (4-6) Thursday night 7-4 at Mayo Field. Eddie Mathis (Bellarmine) earned his first win (1-2) of the season for the Honkers. He rebounded well after a rough start to the season by pitching six strong innings, giving up one run with eight strikeouts.
Both starting pitchers got off to hot starts in the game, holding each offense scoreless in the first three innings with a combined eight strikeouts. Mathis retired four batters in a row during the span.
Eau Claire put a run on the board on two hits in the fourth inning. With a runner on second base, Robby Campillo (New Mexico) hit a ground ball to the pitcher. The ball bounced off the glove of Mathis and rolled out of reach of the Honker shortstop, allowing Tyrus Greene (California) to score for the Express.
Riley Johnson (North Dakota State) held the Honkers’ offense to only two hits through five innings, but the Flock broke free with six runs in the fifth inning. Twelve batters came to the plate in the inning, earning six hits and five walks to take a commanding 6-1 lead.
Eau Claire clawed back into the game against the Rochester bullpen. The Express put together four consecutive hits in the inning, including doubles by Beau Capanna (New Mexico) and Zach Ashford (Fresno State). Three runs crossed the plate, but that was as far as Eau Claire would get. Spencer Johnson (Wayne State) shut down the Eau Claire offense after the seventh inning, finishing with three strikeouts in two innings pitched.
Cam Adams (North Park) extended the Honker lead to three with a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Weston Hatten (Nevada). That set up Garrett Cobb (Seminole State) for his first save of the season. He pitched a scoreless ninth with one strikeout.
Johnson took the loss (0-1) for Eau Claire. He lasted 4.2 innings with seven strikeouts. Both pitching staffs recorded double-digit strikeouts in the game, but Eau Claire surrendered 12 walks.
The Honkers stay at home for another night before heading back on the road. They will face the La Crosse Loggers for the first time this season at Mayo Field Friday night. Tomorrow is Fly RST Night with 106.9 KROC and a Safe Ride Friday, presented by Yellow Cab of Rochester. Hunter Sullivan (Louisville) is scheduled to make his Mayo Field debut on the mound for the Honkers. Gates open at 6:00, first pitch is 7:05 pm.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 23-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, more than 160 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
