Honkers Top Mankato 6-2

The Honkers returned to Mayo Field Thursday night after a five-game road trip. And they pleased the home crowd upon their return with a 6-2 win over the Mankato MoonDogs. Solid starting pitching and timely hitting led to a win over the MoonDogs just a night after they had been beaten in Mankato.

Alex Evans had another great start, pitching 6 shutout innings, allowing just 3 hits and walking 5. Evans moves to 2-0 on the young season and pushes his ERA down to 0.81. Dakota Larson pitched the seventh inning in relief, but gave up a two-run bomb to the MoonDogs' Sulliam Rios Reyes.

Lead-off man Miles Mastrobuoni had a 3-hit day in 4 at-bats. Mastrobuoni now is hitting an incredible .500 on the year. Connor Schaefbauer, who plays college ball at the University of Minnesota, also had a great day at the plate going 2-3, hopefully kick starting his year as he pulls his average up to .250. Brad Mathiowetz hit a two-run homer in the third inning giving the Honkers a 4-0 lead. Sam Hall then led off the 4th inning with a solo shot giving Rochester a 5-0 lead that they would hold for the remainder of the game.

The Honkers are currently tied for first in the North division after Thursday's win and look to hold that position Friday night as they battle the St. Cloud Rox who are also tied for first. Friday's game is away but the Honkers return to Rochester on Sunday for two game home stand against Thunder Bay.