Bats Explode Early, Bullpen Carries Late in Honkers' Win
August 9, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
The Rochester Honkers (32-33, 14-17) scored ten runs in the first five innings and relied on strong bullpen performances from Hayden Hable (Southern Arkansas) and Joey Craska (NJIT) on the way to an 11-7 victory over the Mankato MoonDogs (36-29, 17-15).
Rochester tagged Derrick Smith (NC State) (4-2) for eight runs over 3.1 inning, by far the worst start of the season for the Northwoods League All-Star. Andy Miller (Lane Community College) smashed a grand slam in the second inning and Brendan O'Sullivan (UNLV) cleared the bases with a double in the fourth inning.
After Rochester established a 10-0 lead, the MoonDogs scored six unanswered off of Frank Craska (Quinnipiac) (2-2) and Hable. Craska allowed five runs in 5.1 innings, two of which were earned, while Hable allowed just one run while getting seven outs.
Joey Craska, the middle Craska brother, secured the win, highlighted by back to back strikeouts to end the ninth inning. The Flock have now won two in a row and have a chance to split the season series versus the MoonDogs (4-4) tomorrow on Thu., Aug 10. Scheduled first pitch time is 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!
Northwoods League Stories from August 9, 2023
- Dock Spiders Dropped by Rockers 9-3 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Lakeshore Can't Hold on in Loss to Wausau - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Wausau Wins Third Straight, Drowns Lakeshore 8-7 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Bats Explode Early, Bullpen Carries Late in Honkers' Win - Rochester Honkers
- Stingers Remain Red Hot with Seventh Consecutive Victory, Offense Again Shines in 12-1 Win Over Border Cats - Willmar Stingers
- Spitters Get Win #40 in Style - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Rockers Earn Decisive Late-Season Victory Over Fond du Lac - Green Bay Rockers
- Express Flip the Script on the Loggers in NWL Playoff Preview - La Crosse Loggers
- Dogs Fall to Honkers - Mankato MoonDogs
- Rox Dominate with 13-1 Win Over Hot Tots - St. Cloud Rox
- Huge Win for Wisconsin Rapids, Move Within a Game of 1st Place Madison - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Race in the West Gets Tighter as Madison Drops Game One - Madison Mallards
- K-Zoo Drops Series Finale with Kokomo - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Rockers Travel to Fond du Lac for Tilt with Dock Spiders - Green Bay Rockers
- Late Rally Wasn't Enough as the Rafters Fall in Mequon - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Dock Spiders Downed by Chucks 11-4 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Battle Jacks Rise to Take Down Pit Spitters 4-2, McKinstry and Verburg Lead the Charge - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- MoonDogs Stomp on Larks in Series Finale, Split Set - Bismarck Larks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
