Honkers' Comeback Falls Short against Express
Published on June 21, 2016 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, Minn.) - The Rochester Honkers fell to the Eau Claire Express 6-5 Tuesday night in Eau Claire, Wis.
The Honkers were trailing 6-1 going into the eighth inning, and then Rochester put four runs on the board, but were unable to get the win.
The Express took the lead in the first when Dalton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) hit a solo home run. In the third, Ben Mezzenga (Minnesota) hit a home run of his own, making the show 2-0.
The Honkers got on the board in the third, when Chase Lambert (Pepperdine) scored on an error by Mickey McDonald (UI-Chicago), making the score 2-1. The Express came back in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs of their own on a three-run home run by Erick Migueles (New Mexico), giving Eau Claire a 5-1 lead.
The Express got another run back in the bottom of the seventh, before the Honkers started to mount their comeback. Mark Contreras (UC Riverside) hit a solo shot, making the score 6-2. Then with the bases loaded, Jacob Thomas (UC Davis) got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, making the score 6-3.
Later that inning, Jackson Thoreson (St. Mary's) scored on a wild pitch, then Keaton Weisz (Auburn) singled home a run, cutting the Express lead to 6-5.
The Honkers threatened in the ninth but couldn't push the tying run across.
Isaac Friesen (0-2) (Hawaii) got the start and the loss for the Honkers; he pitched six innings, allowed five runs on six hits, walked two and struck out two. Alex Fagalde (UC Riverside) pitched in relief; he threw two innings and struck out five.
Ryan Hamilton (2-2) (Augustana) got the start for the Express; he pitched six innings, allowed no runs and four hits, walked two and struck out one.
Varsho went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI to lead the Express offense, while Contreras went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI to pace the Honkers.
The Honkers are back at home Wednesday to battle the same Express team, with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m. Wednesday's promotion is Kid's Three Buck Day, where kids 12 and under gain general admission for only $3.00! The Honkers will then be on the road in Michigan. Rochester will take on Battle Creek Thursday and Friday, both 6:05 p.m. starts, then will play Kalamazoo Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, first pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. and Sunday first pitch is set for 2:05 p.m.
Northwoods League Stories from June 21, 2016
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- Rox Move into Tie for First - St. Cloud Rox
- Missed Opportunities Plague Bullfrogs as They Fall to Bombers - Green Bay Rockers
- 'Chucks Fall Just Short in Duluth - Wausau Woodchucks
- Honkers' Comeback Falls Short against Express - Rochester Honkers
- Battle Creek Bombers Top the Green Bay Bullfrogs, 6-2 - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Bullfrogs Begin Road Trip to Michigan, First Stop Battle Creek - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Return Home to Meet Lakeshore - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Mallards Set to Duel with Kalamazoo - Madison Mallards
- Double Down: Stingers Sweep Twin Bill from Mankato - Willmar Stingers
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