Honkers Complete Sweep of Thunder Bay
June 3, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN) - The Rochester Honkers completed the three-game sweep of the Thunder Bay Border Cats on Sunday June 3rd by a final score of 5-1.
Honker right hander Elliot Engle (Doane) was very effective over 8.0 innings of work, allowing just one run on six hits, while never really having to work out of a jam. Engle struck out seven Border Cats and surrendered zero free passes on his way to earning his first victory of the season and evening his record at 1-1.
The Honkers hitters continue to produce, combining for twelve more hits in the game and increasing their team batting average to .257 through the first two series.
Third baseman Michael Benjamin (Arizona State) finished 3-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, and shortstop Michael Lukkason (Dakota Wesleyan) continued his tear at the plate going 3-4 to run his average up to .474 and push his hitting streak to five games.
Designated hitter Trevor Podratz (Hawaii) also chipped in with a couple of hits and two RBIs for the home team.
Border Cats starting pitcher Kurtis McCallum (Mayville State) registered the loss after six innings of work. McCallum (0-1) gave up three earned runs, all in the first three innings.
Reid Roper (Illinois) pitched a scoreless ninth inning, working his way out of a tight situation with two runners on and just one out. Roper would induce a 4-6-3 double-play to end the game and solidify the sweep.
The Rochester Honkers will host the Willmar Stingers on Monday June 4th to begin a two-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM at Mayo Field. The Honkers will send out lefty Drew Merlo (Fresno City) for his first start of 2012. Merlo (0-0) pitched 1.0 scoreless inning in the season opener at Waterloo and struck out one batter.
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