Honkers Walk Off To Second Straight Victory

The Honkers got another big hit from Reid Roper to top the Alexandria Blue Anchors by a score of 5-4.

Matt Kent and the Honkers got behind early, with some two-out hitting by Alexandria. Kris Goodman singled off Kent to lead things off, and after two strikeouts and a stolen base, came in to score on a single by Ricky Sanchez. A double by Jordan Lee scored Sanchez and it was 2-0 after half an inning of play.

Corey Hassel got the first hit for the Honkers in the bottom of the first and two batters later it was L.J. Brewster singling him home to cut it to 2-1.

With the score still holding at 2-1, Connor Schaefbauer led off the bottom of the third with a single. Schaefbauer then scored on a bad throw by the third baseman that allowed L.J. Brewster to reach third base. John Schuknecht then doubled to left two batters later to give the Honkers a 3-2 advantage.

The Honkers gave the lead right back in the top of the fourth. After a double, Matt Kent recorded two quick outs before two more hits scored two more runs and it was 4-3 Alexandria. Kent had a rough night on the mound, going just five innings and allowing four runs on nine hits while he walked eight.

There was not much more offense after that, with the Rochester relievers holding Alexandria scoreless. The Honkers threatened to tie the game back up in the eighth, but grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to end the threat.

It was still 4-3 after the Blue Anchors batted in the ninth. Ryan Boldt led of the inning by taking a walk. Connor Schaefbauer then singled again to drive in Boldt. Shaefbauer was 2-4 on the day. After a walk to Brewster, it was time for Reid Roper to get the knock. Roper hit one through the middle to score Schaefbauer from second and send the crowd of 918 home happy.

With the win, Rochester moves to 4-6 in the second half. The Honkers will send Michael Freeman to the mound against Alexandria for a 7:05 p.m scheduled start at Mayo Field.