WILLMAR — The Rochester Honkers got a stellar pitching performance but only a loss to show for it Thursday night against the expansion Willmar Stingers in Northwoods League college baseball.
Willmar beat Rochester 1-0 before a crowd of 1,481 at Bill Taunton Stadium to sweep the two-game series against the defending league champion Honkers.
Rochester squandered a strong pitching effort by starter Mike Strong (Oklahoma State) and reliever Ian Kadish (Marshall), who combined for 11 strikeouts with 10 hits and one earned run allowed. Kadish allowed just two hits and no runs over the last 2 2/3 innings.
But the Honkers offense was dormant with just two hits and 11 strikeouts against Willmar starter Charley Olson (Georgia State) and closer Jayson Huett (NW Missouri State). Olson went eight full innings with nine strikeouts for the win.
Willmar scored the only run with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. Zach Rowles singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Matt Serna.
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Rochester (9-6) dropped into a tie for the division lead with St. Cloud (8-5) in the North Division.
The Honkers are at home tonight to start a three-game homestand against the Alexandria Beetles (7-8).
