Matt Kent got his first win and Jeff Campbell drove in a pair of runs to lead the Honkers to a 3-0 win Wednesday night.

Pitching dominated early, as Kent struck out two in the first and Eau Claire starter Orlando Meza struck out three in the bottom of the inning. In the fourth, Reid Roper ensured that the Honkers would get a runner on for the fourth straight inning, as he singled on a 2-2 pitch left up in the zone. Jeff Campbell then stepped to the plate, and after taking four pitches, blasted a two-run home run to put the Honkers on top. Campbell had three hits in the game and drove in his tenth and eleventh runs on the season.

Jeff Campbell hit a home run and two singles in Wednesday night's contest.
Jeff Campbell hit a home run and two singles in Wednesday night's contest.
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The Express did not have much going on through the first seven, with Matt Kent allowing no runs on two hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

In the bottom of the seventh, Eau Claire thought they were out of the inning with a strikeout, but Corey Hassel's at-bat continued with a Hassel single. After Alex Schultz followed with a walk, Hassel stole third and scored on an off line throw from catcher Daniel Salters.

Rochester did not get to feel comfortable with that lead though, as the relief pitching gave Eau Claire a chance. Ryan Bower took the hill in the eighth with the bases loaded and no outs, after a single and two walks. A trip to the mound calmed him down and he struck out the next two. Lefty Brandon Stennis was brought in to face left-handed batter Daniel Salters. He got a strikeout, too, and the scoring threat was over.

John Conquy was brought in for his second save of the season and the bases were again loaded by the Express. Conquy walked three caught Burzynski looking on a 3-2 offering to end the game.

The Honkers take their three-game win streak on the road Thursday, with Nick Gruener on the hill to face St. Cloud. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Honkers come home again Monday for a 1:05 p.m. afternoon affair against the Waterloo Bucks.

 

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