(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers (7-5 Second Half, 23-24 Overall) dropped the series finale to the Bismarck Larks (8-6, 24-25) by a score of 4-0 Friday night at Mayo Field. The Rochester bullpen held the Larks offense scoreless on just two hits and struck out nine batters in the final 4.2 innings of the game.
The Larks grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-RBI double to right field by Ryan Anderson (UC Davis).
Bismarck added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. The first three batters reached on two walks and a single to load the bases. The Larks scored on a hit-by-pitch and a two-out wild pitch.
Griffin Neuer (Bellarmine) came into the game to pitch for the Honkers with one out in the top of the fifth inning. He inherited runners on second and third base, but struck out back-to-back hitters to escape the inning. He finished his outing with three strikeouts in 1.2 perfect innings.
The Honkers made a final push to come back in the bottom of the ninth inning. Zach Zubia (Texas) singled to left field to lead off the inning. Ryan Fitzpatrick (UC Irvine) followed with a walk, but the Honkers were unable to get any further.
Andy Lalonde (Southern New Hampshire) earned the win (4-4) for the Larks. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, giving up three runs while striking out seven batters and walking two.
Beau O’Hara (Texas) took the loss (2-2) for the Honkers. He pitched 4.1 innings, giving up four runs on four hits while striking out five batters and walking four.
The Honkers host the St. Cloud Rox tomorrow, July 22, to end a three-game homestand. It will be Salute to Veterans Night, presented by Handy Andy Real Estate Experts. All veterans and active military who show a valid military ID will receive a free general admission ticket. Drew Slade (Ripon) is scheduled to pitch for the Honkers. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Slade is 3-1 this season with a 6.21 ERA. Kenny Saenz (BYU) is scheduled to pitch for the Rox. Saenz is 1-2 this season with a 5.29 ERA.
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. 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, 180 former 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 portal. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com 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.
