Northwoods Rochester Honkers

Honkers Offense Explodes in Season Opener at Mankato

May 29, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release


(Rochester, MN)-- For the first time since 2009, Rochester was victorious in its season opener after defeating Mankato 11-4 Wednesday night at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato, MN.

The Honkers first inning started with Kalei Hanawahine (Hawaii) reaching on an error and a single from Matt Halloran (Minnesota) to put runners on the corners with no outs. Toby Thomas (Pensacola State) and Quinn Carpenter (Iowa Western) each delivered RBI singles to take an early 2-0 lead. Carpenter, the designated hitter, went 3-for-5 on the night with a double, RBI, and a run scored.

Mankato got one run back in the bottom half of the first thanks to a bases loaded walk. Rochester starting pitcher Elliott Engle (Doane College) walked two batters and gave up a pair of hits in the inning, but allowed just the one run. Engle's night was cut short after one inning because he exceeded the league's 35-pitch limit in the first inning.

A pair of MoonDogs errors and a RBI single from Halloran led to two more runs for Rochester in the top of the second to build a 4-1 lead after an inning and a half.

Carpenter delivered with a one-out double in the third to spark a third consecutive two-run inning for the Honkers. Hanawahine and Mitch Anderson (Rochester Community and Technical College) picked up one RBI each in the inning to give the Honkers a 6-1 lead after just two and a half innings of play. Anderson had a memorable beginning to his Northwoods League career after getting hits in his first three at-bats. He led the Honkers offense going 3-for-5 with two runs scored out of the No.9 spot. Rochester added four unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth to bust the game open and increase its lead to 10-2.

Jon Woodcock (Crowder College) picked up the win (1-0) for the Honkers after pitching four innings in relief. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five.

Jonathan Rodriguez, for Mankato, drove a two-run double to deep left field off of Honker pitcher Brian Schwarzbach (Pennsylvania) to cut the MoonDogs deficit to six runs at 10-4 after six innings. Rochester responded with a run in the seventh when Hanawahine singled and came around to score on a wild pitch. Hanawahine scored three runs on the night.

Rob Cerfolio took the loss (0-1) for Mankato. He allowed six runs, just two earned, on six hits in three innings. He struck out three batters and walked one.

The two teams will play Friday, May 30, at 7:05 p.m. at Mayo Field for the Honkers home opener. A fireworks extravaganza will follow the game, presented by Olmsted Medical Center and Cumulus Radio. Brandon Stennis (Doane College) is scheduled to be the starting pitcher for Rochester.



Northwoods League Stories from May 29, 2013


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