Honkers Fall 10-7 in Willmar

Rochester, MN (rochesterhonkers.com) –  The Rochester Honkers out hit the Willmar Stingers 19-12; yet fell 10-7 in Willmar Wednesday night. 

Danny Pardo (Montevallo) hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to give Willmar a 7-4 lead to push the Stingers to the victory.

The Honkers scored the first four runs of the game, and it started in the first inning when Casey Worden (UC Riverside) drove in a run on a putout. Rochester got three more runs in the second inning; Kyle Kasser (Oregon) and Alex Fitchett (Hawaii) each hit RBI singles to help push the lead to 4-0.

The Stingers got on the board in the second, when Danny Mayer (Pacific) hit a solo home run, which was followed by a Kole Cottam (Kentucky) RBI double, to cut the Honkers lead to 4-2.

Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) hit a two-RBI double in the third to tie the game at 4. Quincy McAfee (Pepperdine) got an RBI on a fielder’s choice, then Pardo hit his two-run shot to give the Stingers a 7-4 lead after four innings of play.

The Stingers added another run in the fifth to push their lead to 8-4. In the sixth, Jackson Thoreson (St. Mary’s) hit a sacrifice fly to score Fitchett, to make the score 8-5.

Willmar added two insurance runs in the sixth; before the Honkers were able to plate two runs of their own in the eighth. The Honkers threatened with the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth, but only go the two runs across to fall 10-7.

Robert Paccione (0-2) (LIU – Post) got the start and the loss for the Honkers; he pitched 4.1 innings, allowed eight runs on eight hits, walked three and struck out one. Bayley Chesterton (Riverside CC) pitched in relief; he went 1.2 innings, allowed two runs on three hits, walked and struck out two. Brett Herber (Winona State) pitched the final two innings for the Honkers; he allowed one hit and walked one in his first outing with the Honkers.

Seven Honkers had multiple hits including Kasser, Turner Buis (Cal State Fullerton), Fitchett, Worden, Throeson, Jacob Thomas (UC Daivs) and Josh Davis (Pepperdine). Kasser went 4 for 6 with a RBI and a run scored, while Fitchett was 2 for 4 with one RBI and two runs scored to pace the Honkers’ offense.

Estrada went 3 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Pardo went 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Stingers’ offense.

Thursday the teams will play again in Willmar, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. This weekend is an All-Star Animal Weekend at Mayo Field! Friday, The Honkers and St. Cloud Rox will battle it out on American Dairy Night! We have the 22nd Annual Cow Milking Contest! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6!

Saturday is Bark in the Park night presented by Leashes and Leads! Bring your dog on a leash and you both get a general admission ticket for free! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6!