Honkers Stay Hot with Win over Border Cats
Published on June 18, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN) - The Rochester Honkers extended its winning streak to five games with a 7-3 win over the Thunder Bay Border Cats on Tuesday, June 18, at Subway Field in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Kalei Hanawahine (Hawaii) got things started early for the Honkers as he led off the top half of the first inning with a double. Alex Greer (Iowa Western) delivered a two-out double to bring Hanawahine in and grab an early 1-0 lead. The inning ended with Greer being thrown at home plate on a single from Michael Pomeroy (Grand Canyon University.) Hanawahine and Pomeroy each picked up two hits on the night for Rochester.
Philip Lyons, Dylan Becker, and Tyler Duplantis started the bottom of the fourth inning with consecutive singles. Lyons and Becker scored in the inning to give the Border Cats a 2-1 lead after four complete innings. The two runs, just one earned, were the only runs allowed by Honkers starting pitcher Tyler Eppler (Sam Houston State.) Eppler allowed five hits in his six innings of work to earn his first win (1-0) of the season.
Kevin Barker (UC Davis) drew a one-out walk in the top of the fifth inning, Matt Halloran (Minnesota) and Hanawahine each followed with singles to set up a bases loaded plate appearance for Carter Burgess (Sam Houston State.) Burgess walked to score Barker to tie the game. The Honkers added three more runs thanks to a bases loaded walk to Tyler Baker (Wichita State) and a two-run single from Greer to build a 5-2 lead. Greer led the Rochester offense by going 3-for-5 with 3 RBI.
A two-run triple from Barker with two outs in the eighth inning gave the Honkers two insurance runs. Logan Spitzack (St. Cloud State) loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, but was able to escape with just one run allowed thanks to a timely double play. Rochester turned four double plays on the night. Spitzack earned his first save in his first relief appearance of the season. He allowed one run on two hits in three innings. Clint Knoblauch took the loss (0-3) for Thunder Bay. He allowed five runs on seven hits in five innings.
The two teams will finish a two-game series on Wednesday June 19 at Subway Field at 6:05 p.m. (Central Time.) Matt Kent (Texas A&M) is slated to make the start for Rochester (12-9), while Matt Blackham (Johnson County College) is scheduled to start on the mound for Thunder Bay (8-13.) The Honkers will return home to Mayo Field on Saturday, June 22, as they will begin a two-game series with the Duluth Huskies.
Northwoods League Stories from June 18, 2013
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- Honkers Stay Hot with Win over Border Cats - Rochester Honkers
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