Honkers Fall in Willmar
June 12, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN) - The Honkers would take an early lead in game two of three at Willmar today, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning, but the Stingers would use aggressive base running and take advantage of errors to beat the Honkers 10-3, clinching the series.
The Honkers would get a strong start out of starting pitcher Alex Alemann (So, St. Louis University) for the first three innings. Alemann would allow just two hits in the first three innings, before running into strong hitting from the Stingers. Alemann would allow five runs in the fourth inning, seeing the Honkers lead turn into a 5-2 deficit.
Alemann would get chased in the fifth inning with two runners on and without recording an out, yielding to relief pitcher Austin House (So, New Mexico). House would get out of the inning, but not before damage was done, and the Honkers were down 10-2.
The Honkers bats would not be silenced in the game however, mustering up 11 hits in the game, with only three runs to show for it. Third baseman Devin Thaut (Jr, Southern Polytechnic State) continued to hit the ball well after a slow start to the season, going 3-for-5 on the day, with a RBI. Newcomer Damek Tomscha (So, Iowa Western) also had a three hit game, going 3-for-4, with a run scored. His three hit day raised his batting average to .368 on the season.
Scott Thornburg (Jr, Creighton) would add another RBI on the season, his third in four games, when he doubled in Jake Marasco (So, Kansas) in the ninth inning, to lessen the deficit. The Honkers would get a multi hit game out of shortstop Reid Roper (Fr, Illinois), going 2-for-3 with two walks on the day, for an on base percentage of .800.
The Honkers will look to salvage the series and get one win tomorrow when the same two teams are back at it again, for the finale of the series, and the last time these two teams will see each other in the first half of the season. The loss drops the Honkers to 4-8 on the season, and 4-6 in their last ten games.
The Honkers will have Bryce Rippentrop (So, Dakota County Tech) on the mound tomorrow. Rippentrop is 2-0 on the season, getting one win in a start, and the other while coming in relief in extra innings. First pitch tomorrow is 7:05, the Honkers will return home on Tuesday, June 14, when they start a six game home stand against the Thunder Bay Border Cats, first pitch is 7:05.
Northwoods League Stories from June 12, 2011
- MoonDogs Hold on for Marathon Victory - Mankato MoonDogs
- Lunkers fall in 14 innings to Mankato - Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers
- Stingers Beat Rochester 10-3 - Willmar Stingers
- Honkers Fall in Willmar - Rochester Honkers
- Hunter's Double Helps Green Bay to 2-1 Win - Green Bay Rockers
- Loggers take game two, 'Chucks fall 11-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Mallards Look to Even Series in Battle Creek - Madison Mallards
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