Rochester's Bats Power Series Sweep over Duluth
Published on June 15, 2026 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Rochester Honkers pounded out 19 hits en route to a 15-5 victory over the Duluth Huskies on Sunday afternoon, completing a series sweep and continuing their recent surge up the Great Plains East standings.
With the series on the line, Rochester took control from the opening innings.
After a smooth first inning from starting pitcher Maclain Roberts, it was Sam Harry who got the scoring started once again. Harry launched a solo home run to left field to give the Honkers an early 1-0 lead.
Rochester continued to apply pressure in the second inning. Nolan Ganter sparked a three-run frame by driving a ball off the green wall in center field for the team's first triple of the season.
Ganter said the extra-base hit was a welcome sight after a recent stretch of struggles at the plate.
"You know, it's been something I was struggling with lots of strikeouts lately," Ganter said. "But finally it felt good to connect and get a couple extra-base hits and help out the team."
The early offensive support allowed Roberts to settle in on the mound, though Duluth responded in the third inning with back-to-back solo home runs from Sam Haugen and Max Berrisford.
Roberts faced one of his toughest innings of the season as his pitch count climbed near the Northwoods League's 35-pitch inning limit. Needing just one more out to continue his outing, the left-hander induced a lineout to center field and escaped the frame.
Honkers manager Jason Jacome praised Roberts' ability to battle through adversity.
"He didn't have his best stuff today," Jácome said. "He threw an awful lot of balls, and I was afraid he was going to throw 35 pitches there. But he got through it, battled his way through it, and the rest of the guys picked him up."
Roberts went on to complete five innings, allowing five hits while striking out six.
The Honkers' offense took over from there.
A five-run sixth inning blew the game open and extended Rochester's lead to 12-2. By that point, the Huskies had no answer for a lineup that has been among the hottest in the league over the past week.
Rochester's recent winning streak has propelled the club from the middle of the standings into second place in the Great Plains East Division, trailing only the La Crosse Loggers.
Jácome credited the team's chemistry for its recent success.
"Mostly, they're all becoming friends and getting comfortable out there," Jácome said. "They're putting good swings on the ball and doing the job."
While Duluth managed three late runs against Rochester's bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings, the outcome was never seriously in doubt. Alex Kronfeld recorded the final outs in the ninth inning to secure the 15-5 win.
The victory improves Rochester to 10-8 on the season, just 1.5 games behind the La Crosse Loggers in the division race.
The Honkers will travel to face the Waterloo Bucks on Monday before returning to Mayo Field on Tuesday night for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against Waterloo.
Northwoods League Stories from June 15, 2026
- Rockers Look to Keep Win Streak Alive in Fond du Lac - Green Bay Rockers
- Rochester's Bats Power Series Sweep over Duluth - Rochester Honkers
- Loggers Win 6-5 in Close Game against the Rafters - La Crosse Loggers
- Mummies Hold off Madison Rally to Earn Series Split - Richmond Flying Mummies
- Big Sticks Power Surge Leads to Series Sweep against Minot - Badlands Big Sticks
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