(Rochester, Minn.) – The Rochester Honkers fell to the La Crosse Loggers 8-6 at Mayo Field Tuesday night in Northwoods League action.

Photo courtesy Rochester Honkers
Photo courtesy Rochester Honkers
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Trailing 8-5 in the eighth, the Honkers put runners on first and second, but could only get one run home as Joey Czarske (Cal State Northridge) bounced into a groundout to score a run.

The Loggers scored three runs in the top of the eighth to break a 5-5 tie. Mason McCoy (Iowa), Lance Nootbaar (USC) and Cullen Large (William Mary) all collected a RBI to get the Loggers the win.

The Honkers scored two run in the bottom of the first to take their first lead of the game. Drew Ellis (Louisville) hit an RBI single to score Turner Buis (Cal State Fullerton), followed by an RBI single from Josh Davis (Pepperdine) to get the Honkers a 2-0 lead.

The Loggers came back in the second with a two-run home run from Kyle Plantier (UC Santa Barbara) to tie the game at two. The Honkers followed by scoring two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame, when Buis and Ryan Fitzpatrick (Saddle Back) each ripped RBI singles to give the Honkers a 4-2 lead.

The Loggers got one run back in the fourth on a solo home run from Griffin Conine (Duke) to cut the Honkers lead to 4-3.

The Loggers took a 5-4 lead in the sixth off RBI singles from Plantier and Randy Labaut (Arizona), but the Honkers tied it back up at five when Buis hit another RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.

Isaac Friesen (Hawaii) got the start for the Honkers; he went 6.1 innings, allowed five runs, four of them earned, on 12 hits, walked two and struck out two. Ian Clark (0-1) (Santa Barbara City) took the loss for the Honkers; he pitched 1.2 innings, allowed three runs on two hits, walked two and struck out one.

Mark Nowaczewski (Nevada) got the start for the Loggers; he went three innings, allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out three. Jared Liebelt (2-1) (Waubonsee CC) got the win in relief for La Crosse; he pitched 2.2 innings allowed one run on one hit and struck out three. Dave Smith (3) (Long Beach State) picked up his third save of the season.

Buis and Fitzpatrick each went 3-for-4 to lead the Honkers, while Buis added two RBI and two runs scored, while Fitzpatrick added an RBI of his own and a run scored.

Nootbaar went 3-for-4, while Conine went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the Loggers.

The Honkers fall to 7-11 in the second half and 14-38 overall with the loss, and the Loggers move to 8-8 in the second half and 25-27 overall with the win.

The Honkers will take the Loggers on again Wednesday when the World Famous ZOOperstars will be preforming presented by McNeilus Steel and ABC 6 News! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6:00! The Honkers will host the Thunder Bay Boarder Cats on Thursday at Mayo Field, which is Salute to Veterans Night! All active and inactive Military Members that show their Military ID will get a general admission ticket for FREE, presented by Broadway Plaza! First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. and gates open at 6!

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