Long Ball Hurts Honkers in Loss to Huskies

Rochester, MN (Rochesterhonkers.com) – Matt Brown (Jeff Co) hit a solo home run to break a 3-3 tie in the eighth, and then scored five runs in the ninth, including a solo home run by Daniel Gardner (San Diego) to beat the Honkers 9-3 at Mayo Field Thursday night.

The Huskies scored two runs in the first inning; scoring both due to errors. In the bottom of the first, the Honkers scored a run on a RBI single from Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge).

Nic Strasser (West Florida) hit a solo home run in the fifth, making the score 3-1. Czarske hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 3 in the bottom of the sixth.

Brown’s home run broke the 3-3 tie in the eighth, then the Huskies got another home run, this time from Gardner in the top of the ninth, making the score 5-3.

The Huskies added another four runs in the top of the ninth to win the game 9-3.

Jackson Douglas (Iowa Western CC) got the start for the Honkers; he pitched five innings, allowed three runs on seven hits, and struck out five. Carter Lilly (0-1) (Corpus Christi) got the loss for Rochester; he pitched 1.2 innings, allowed six runs on three hits and struck out one.

Toby Anderson (Minnesota) got the start for the Huskies; he pitched 5.2 innings, allowed three runs on six hits and struck out eight. Corey Gaconi (1-0) (Southeastern Louisiana) got the win for Duluth; he pitched 3.1 innings, allowed six hits and struck out four.

Czarske paced the Honkers offense, going 2 for 4 with one run scored and three RBI. Mark Contreras (UC Riverside) was also 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Brown led the Huskies offense, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and one RBI.

With the loss the Honkers fall to 5-12, and the Huskies move to 9-9.

The Honkers are back in action Saturday night as they take on the Willmar Stingers at Mayo Field. Saturday night is Kemps Kids Night! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6. Sunday, the Honkers will take on the Stingers again, this time at 1:05 p.m. and gates open at noon! Sunday is Wells Fargo Day! Also, it is I Bike/Walk Rochester presented by Olmsted County Public Health. Park and wakl from the designated parking lot, and get a free general admission ticket! Bike to the game and get a free ticket as well, while supplies last. 1 ticket per person!