
Hardy Homers Twice in Honkers Loss
August 11, 2018 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, Minn.) - Despite Matt Hardy's (UC Riverside) two home run night, the Rochester Honkers fell to the Waterloo Bucks 8-4 Saturday at Riverfront Stadium. The win improves the Bucks record to 10-26 in the second half and 20-51 overall. The Honkers lost their third straight to fall to 16-19 and 33-38.
The Bucks gained an early lead with a two-run third. Trey Leonard (Louisville) doubled to right field to drive in a run and give Waterloo a 1-0 lead. Angelo Altavilla (Nebraska) singled to right to bring home the second run of the inning for the Bucks.
The Honkers were able to cut Waterloo's lead in the fourth as Hardy crushed his first solo home run of the game to make the score 2-1.
The Honkers rallied for three runs in the sixth. Hardy tied the game up at two with his second home run of the contest. Austin Schell (Golden West) doubled to right field to drive in the go-ahead run for Rochester. Michael Michalak (Illinois) came in to score on a wild pitch to give the Honkers a 4-2 lead.
Waterloo came back to take the lead in the eighth. Altavilla brought home two runs with a single up the middle to tie the game at four. Myles Emmerson (Cal Poly) brought in two runs of his own with a double to left field to give the Bucks a 6-4 lead. Carmen Sclafani (Rutgers) brought in another two runs with a single down the left field line to give Waterloo an 8-4 advantage.
Along with two home runs, Hardy paced the Honkers offense collecting four hits and falling just a triple short of the cycle. Additionally, Michalak picked up three hits for the Honkers. It was the Rochester native's fifth three-hit game of the summer.
Honkers starting pitcher Matteo Bocchi (Texas) tossed a gem despite receiving a no decision. The Italy native worked six innings surrendering two runs on five hits. Just one of the runs was earned. Erik Edminster (Loras) came in relief to pitch one inning and gave up four runs on four hits. Jack Nelson (St. Mary's) was tagged with his first loss of the season after working one inning and give up two runs on five hits.
Bucks relief pitcher Danny Kapala (Minnesota) picked up the win out of the bullpen. Kapala pitched two scoreless innings and struck out three.
The Honkers play their final game of the season Sunday against the Bucks at Riverfront Stadium. Robert Reaser (Lewis and Clark) is scheduled to start for Waterloo, the junior has compiled a 5.44 ERA and a 2-1 record. The Honkers probable pitcher is to be announced. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
Northwoods League Stories from August 11, 2018
- Duluth Huskies Clinch Playoff Spot Despite Loss to Bismarck - Duluth Huskies
- Big Inning Pushes Mallards over Spiders - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Mallards Ride Huge Eighth Inning to Victory - Madison Mallards
- Rox Fall to Express in Series Opener - St. Cloud Rox
- Hardy Homers Twice in Honkers Loss - Rochester Honkers
- Six-Run Eighth Keys 8-4 Bucks Win - Waterloo Bucks
- Woodchucks Come out on Top against Lakeshore - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rafters End Home Finale with a Win - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rivets Lose 7-5 as the Kingfish Find the Long Ball - Rockford Rivets
- Bullfrogs Fall in Close Contest at Wisconsin Rapids - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Start Final Series of 2018 Season - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Mallards Wrap up Regular Season - Madison Mallards
- Dock Spiders Split with Rivets - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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.
Other Recent Rochester Honkers Stories
- Duluth Takes Series against Rochester in 8-3 Win
- Honkers Drop First Game in Duluth as Huskies Roll 12-2
- Thunder Bay Wins an Extra Inning Thriller at Mayo Field 5-4
- Honkers Succumb to Late Thunder Bay Rally as They Fall, 15-7
- La Crosse Puts on an Offensive Show En Route to a 14-5 Win

