Honkers Sweep Modified Double-header Over Waterloo Bucks

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- The Honkers hadn't won more than two in a row all season untill tonight when they swept the modified double header with the Waterloo Bucks to have their first three-game winning streak of the season.

The first part of the modified double-header was the a continuation of the game that was suspended on July 5th with a score of 6-2. The Honkers were leading after four, and they held onto the lead over the next five innings as Isaac Friesen pitched an unconventional complete game, the first of the season, to lead the Honkers to a 7-5 win.

The Bucks made it close scoring two in the top of the sixth on and error by catcher Jackson Thoreson to make it 6-4 and then they added one more in teh eighth when Robert Neustrom took Friesen deep.

However the Honkers added one of their own when Josh Davis scored on Turner Buis groundout to short to make it 7-5.

In the ninth, Friesen retired the Bucks 1-2-3, finishing with a strikeout of Daniel Perry to end the game.

Friesen, between the two days, went nine innings, allowing 5 runs on nine hits, walking only one and striking out six for his first win of the season.

Friesen improved to 1-3, and Patrick Boyle (2-2), who had already left the game after three innings was dealt the loss.

In the second game, the Honkers got more great pitching performances. Robert Paccione only gave up two runs on two solo shots over his four innings, then David Worrell and Stevie Ledezma held the Bucks offense scoreless the rest of the way.

Paccione, the starter, gave up a solo shot in the first to Alex Boxwell, and the second solo home run was off the bat of Jake Hand to lead of the second. However he only allowed one more hit, as he left the gave after four, with three strikeouts and three walks.

In the bottom of the third, the Honkers scored two, but it almost didn't go down that way. Jacob Thomas lead off the inning with a single, then Miles Lewis walked to bring up lead-off man Kyle Kasser with two on and no one out. On the third pitch of Kasser's at-bat, the Honkers second basemen flared a shallow fly-ball to center. Bucks center fielder, Alex Boxwell made a sliding attempt to catch the ball and initially the ball was called a catch, and with the Honkers runners advancing lead to an easy triple play for the Bucks. However, the ball wasn't caught, it bounced. After an umpire discussion, due to an argument from Honkers manager Trevor Hairgrove, the ball was called as a hit and gave the Honkers the bases loaded with no outs.

Turner Buis drove in the first run on a fielders choice, then after Ryan Fitzpatrick was hit by a pitch to load the bases again. Drew Ellis then grounded out to third on a fielder's choice but that allowed Kasser to score to tie the game at two.

Ellis then grounded out to second, and after a Jackson Thoreson intentional walk, Josh Davis hit a single up the middle to score Buis to give the Honkers a 4-2 lead. In the top of the sixth, the Bucks threatened in a major way as they loaded the bases with one out and David Worrell on the mound. Worrell was relieved by Stevie Ledezma. Ledezma then struck out pinch hitter Zach Fricke, and forced a Zach Weatherford groundout to get out of the inning. Ledezma allowed two runners to reach in the seventh, but he forced Jake Hand to pop out to first baseman Fitzpatrick to end the seven-inning game and give the Honkers their 10th win of the season and a sweep.

David Worrell (1-2) was given the win and Hunter Spencer was given the loss (1-1). Stevie Ledezma was given the save.

The Honkers play at home again for the second to last game of their home-stand as they face off against the Kalamazoo Growlers at 7:05 here at Mayo Field.

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