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Northwoods Rochester Honkers

Honkers Late Heroics Not Enough in Loss to Waterloo

July 14, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release


ROCHESTER, MINN. - The Rochester Honkers saw an early lead and late heroics dissipate in a 7-6 extra-innings loss against the Waterloo Bucks on Tuesday night at Mayo Field.

Down to their last two outs in the ninth, Zach Cole (Ball State) belted a pinch-hit two-run home run to right-center field to knot the score at six apiece to give Rochester a chance in extras. In the 10th, Waterloo was able to push across a run on what was eventually a game-deciding sacrifice fly.

Despite falling into an early hole when the Bucks crossed a run on a sacrifice fly in the first inning, the Honkers jumped out to a great start themselves in the bottom half of the frame. Jackson Forbes (San Jose State) extended a season-long on-base streak to 21 games with a lead-off single, and Jack Colette (San Jose State) followed suit with a single of his own. Mac Horvath (North Carolina) worked a walk to load the bases, and hot-hitting Alex Pimentel (Long Beach State) continued the early-game success with a two-run single to take the lead. Cole Fontenelle (Washington) plated the third run of the inning when Waterloo traded a run for two outs on a six-four-three double play, and Rochester found itself with a two-run cushion after the opening frame concluded.

The two-run lead was all Rochester right-hander Aaron Vernon (Benedictine Mesa) would need for some time, as he cruised through the sixth inning without allowing an earned run. Vernon worked two one-two-three innings before finding trouble in the seventh, when a Waterloo double to lead off the inning and a one-out single put runners on first and second.

Rochester went to its bullpen before four runs eventually came around to score to give the Bucks a sudden 5-3 lead. Both teams traded runs in the seventh and eighth innings. The Honkers plated one on a Hank Bard (McLennan CC) single before Waterloo got one right back with a sac fly to set the tone for Rochester's subsequent demise.

Matthew Maldonado (Lipscomb) threw 2.2 innings of late-game relief but was ultimately saddled with the loss. The Honkers move to 4-4 in the second half of the season, and return to play tomorrow with a day-night doubleheader at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo against the Bucks. Rochester's next home game is Thursday night for Faith and Family Night at Mayo Field. Gates open at 5:30 PM for a scheduled first pitch of 6:35.

The Rochester Honkers are in their 28th summer of fun at Mayo Field. Connect with the team on social media by liking them on Facebook at Rochester Honkers Baseball Club and following them on Twitter (@RochHonkers) and Instagram (@HonkersBaseball). Join the conversation by using the hashtag #FunForTheWholeFlock.



Northwoods League Stories from July 14, 2021


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