Rochester Top Express – Return to Mayo Field Saturday Night

The Rochester Honkers handled the Eau Claire Express 9-4 Friday night in Eau Claire. Spencer Greer (Dixie State) earned the win for the Honkers, while Austin Schulfer (UW Milwaukee) was charged with the loss for the Express after giving up 5 earned runs on six hits in just 1.2 innings of work.

The Honkers totaled 17 hits in the game, and nearly made six trips through the batting order as they chased the starter Schulfer in the second and continued their strong performance against the Express relievers.

Ryan Webberley (Cal Poly Pomona) continued his recent hot streak by hitting a double in the first inning. He would advance to third on a balk and score on a single from Matt Fielder (Minnesota) to give Rochester a 1-0 lead.

The game would break open in the second, when the Honkers would plate four runs. Miles Mastrobuoni (College of San Mateo) would bat in Cole Krzmarzick a triple, then come home himself on a single from Alex Schultz (Nebraska-Omaha). Webberley would score his second run on a wild pitch, and a double from Mark Contreras (UC Riverside) would bring in Fiedler for the 5-0 Honkers lead.

Eau Claire would hit a home run in the bottom of the second to get one back, but Krzmarzick would score again off the bat of Adam Walton (Illinois) to keep the lead at five in the third.

The Express would score a pair of runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to pull it within two, but Joe DeRoche-Duffin (UCONN) would hit his 11th home run of the season, a two run shot the brought Contreras in with him, to give the Honkers a comfortable 8-4 lead.

Mastrobuoni would score in the in the ninth on a hit and run double play ball in the ninth for insurance, but Eau Claire would not mount a serious comeback threat, and the Honkers would claim the second game of the home-and-home 9-4.

The Honkers now sit at 36-28 for the season, and hold a six game advantage over the Mankato MoonDogs for the fourth place spot in the North division, as well as the final spot in the playoffs, while trailing third place Duluth by two games.

The Honkers next home game will be Saturday, August 1st, against the Duluth Huskies at 7:05 p.m. It will be Princess/Prince Night, sponsored by Nova Academy for Cosmetology. Come dressed as a prince or princess to get free general admission.