Honkers Bounced by Moon Dogs
June 9, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN)-The Rochester Honkers lost to the Moon Dogs in Mankato on Saturday night by a final score of 8-0.
Rochester starting pitcher Elliot Engle (Doane) was not as effective as his last outing going 5.1 innings and surrendering eight Mankato runs to push his record to 1-2. Engle allowed eight hits and walked two Mankato batters while sending down six on strikes.
Moon Dogs starter Kyle McGrath (Louisville) was solid in his first start of the season holding the Honkers scoreless on just four hits. McGrath recorded eight strikeouts and walked three to improve his record to 1-1.
The big story for the Honkers was a serious lack of offense with just five total hits. Michael Benjamin (Arizona State) was able to finish 2 for 4 but never had anyone on base in front of him with the top two guys in the lineup, Dakota Smith (Kansas) and Reid Roper (Illinois) combining to go 0 for 8 at the plate.
The Moon Dogs, however, had ten hits and were able to score with runners in scoring position consistently all night. Mankato first baseman Blair Moore (Cal Baptist) went 2 for 4 at the plate with a solo homerun.
With the Honkers trailing 8-0 after 5.1 innings, field manager Zach Etheredge was forced to use position players on the pitching mound for the second straight game.
First baseman Jake Ratz (Ellsworth JC) pitched a scoreless 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and third baseman Michael Benjamin pitched the bottom of the eighth and walked two batters, but escaped without giving up a run.
The Honkers (4-7) and Moon Dogs (9-2) will face off in Rochester at 1:05 PM at Mayo Field on Sunday, June 10th. Starting for the Honkers is right hander Kevin Johnson (Illinois), who will be making his first appearance of the 2012 season. He will face Mankato right hander Davis Henderson (Oklahoma City). Sunday will be Henderson's first outing of 2012 as well.
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Northwoods League Stories from June 9, 2012
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