McKenzie Mystifies River Bats
July 13, 2011 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN) - The Rochester Honkers came out with guns blazing, getting three runs in the first two innings of Wednesday night's game against the St. Cloud River Bats. That would be all the Honkers would need, as starting pitcher Jeff McKenzie (So, Delta College) would hold off the River Bats, and the Honkers would win 3-2 from Mayo Field.
McKenzie gave the Honkers one of the best pitching performances of the season, going 8.0 innings, allowing just two runs on two hits. McKenzie brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning, before the River Bats struck for back-to-back hits with one out in the inning. McKenzie's performance would earn him his first win of the season and improve his record to 1-1.
The Honkers offense was jumpstarted early, when Tony Kemp (Fr, Vanderbilt) led the Honkers in the bottom of the first inning with a double to deep center. Kemp would be bunted over to second and then Johnny Coy (RsJr, Wichita State) would single to center, scoring Kemp to give Rochester a 1-0 lead.
The Honkers would get two more runs in the second inning off RBI singles from Devin Thaut (Jr, Southern Polytechnic State) and Aaron Jones (Fr, Oregon) to add to their lead. The Honkers were led at the plate by both Vanderbilt players on the team. Kemp went 3-for-5 with a run and his collegiate teammate Spencer Navin (Fr, Vanderbilt) went 2-for-3 with a run as well.
Austin House (So, New Mexico) would get his fifth save of the season, and fourth in five games, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning, sealing the Honkers victory.
The win clinched the series for the Honkers, who will go for a series, and home stand sweep tomorrow when the River Bats are back for a final game of the series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 pm at Mayo Field. D.J. Snelten (Fr, Minnesota) will be on the mound for the Honkers, making his second start of the season.
Northwoods League Stories from July 13, 2011
- Stingers Blow Late Lead, Lose to Duluth In 11 Innings, 7-6 - Willmar Stingers
- Bullpen falters late, Bullfrogs win 5â3 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Mallards' Woes Continue in Loss Vs. Bucks - Madison Mallards
- Lunker Offense Explodes in 15-8 Victory - Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers
- McAlpine Powers 'Frogs to 5-3 Win - Green Bay Rockers
- McKenzie Mystifies River Bats - Rochester Honkers
- Nell Becomes 6th Winningest Manager in NWL History - Waterloo Bucks
- Mallards attempt to break streak vs. Bucks - Madison Mallards
- Big First Inning Propels Bucks Past Mallards - Madison Mallards
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