
Rochester Loses Third in a Row, Drops in Standings
June 23, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
The Rochester Honkers (14-12) are the lowest in the standings as they have been all season after losing 3-2 vs the Eau Claire Express (13-11) in a walk-off loss on a Friday night at Carson Park. Rochester is now tied for second place in the Great Plains East - they sit fourth on percentage points.
It was the second walk-off loss of the season for the Honkers, the previous in a 9-8 loss vs the Duluth Huskies (14-10) last week. Tonight, the same as the matchup vs Duluth, the game was tied after eight innings.
The visitors struck first, scoring 2 runs in the fourth inning. Petey Craska (Georgia Tech) slid headfirst into home plate to score the first run on a wild pitch and Tyler White (Sacramento State) followed it up with an RBI single to score Ian Dougherty (Oklahoma State).
Eau Claire, who moved to 8-3 at home, responded in the home half of the inning on an RBI double from Rayth Petersen (Illinois-Chicago). That was the first of two runs surrendered by starter Cole Mahlum (Dakota County Technical College), as he went 5.1 IP allowing the two runs on five hits.
The Express tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a solo homerun from Nathan Witte (Illinois-Chicago), his first of the season.
The game would stay deadlocked until the walk-off hit in the ninth inning on the back of strong relief appearances from both bullpens. Corbin Barker (UC Riverside) did not allow a hit and struck out four in 2.2 innings. Michael Trausch (Central Arizona) went 4.2 innings scoreless after starter Lance Lauve (Southeastern Louisiana) lasted just four innings.
In the top of the ninth inning with two outs and two runners on, Ben North (Creighton) hit a sharp ground ball that appeared to hop over third base in fair territory. It was called foul, and he popped out two pitches later.
After a lead-off double from Petersen in the ninth inning, Cole Conn (Illinois-Chicago) delivered the game-winning single into center field off of Greyson Christian (Northeastern State) (0-1). Tanner Sagouspe (Cal Poly) (1-0) was credited with the win after retiring North.
The Honkers host the Willmar Stingers (19-5) for a weekend series beginning on Sat., June 24. Scheduled first pitch time is 6:35 p.m.
Northwoods League Stories from June 23, 2023
- Pit Spitters Drop Final Game of Road Trip - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Loggers Break Border Cats' Seven-Game Win Streak, Walk It off 6-5 - La Crosse Loggers
- Rochester Loses Third in a Row, Drops in Standings - Rochester Honkers
- Huskies Use Wade Stadium Magic to Beat Waterloo 6-5 - Duluth Huskies
- Express Win in Walk-Off Fashion - Eau Claire Express
- Mallards Sweep the Division Leaders, Set for Road Trip - Madison Mallards
- Pitchers Duel Works in Stingers Favor, Outlast Rox 2-1 for Series Split - Willmar Stingers
- Lakeshore Ends Their Five-Game Losing Streak with a Win Against Wausau - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Rox Relievers Shine in Game Two Against Willmar - Home-And-Home Series Versus Mankato Starts Tomorrow - St. Cloud Rox
- Rockers Lose Second Straight to Mallards Ahead of Homestand - Green Bay Rockers
- Lakeshore Cruises Past Wausau, Wins 10-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rockford Rivets Sweep Doubleheader against Kokomo Jackrabbits in Thrilling Fashion - Rockford Rivets
- Rockers Aim to Even Season Series with Mallards - Green Bay Rockers
- Big Inning Leads to Win - Eau Claire Express
- Kingfish Sweep the Doubleheader Against Battle Jacks - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Honkers Fall Out of First After Loss to Eau Claire - Rochester Honkers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Rochester Honkers Stories
- Rochester Drops Another Mayo Field Heartbreaker, 8-5
- Honkers Lose in Extras, as Bucks Explode in Tenth for 9-5 Victory
- Pitching Masterclass from Chris Peterson Helps Bucks over Honkers
- Honkers Split Doubleheader with Waterloo
- Honkers Drop 11-Inning Game as Express Win 11-7

