Dalton Roach strikes out the first 12 Honker batters to earn the win

Rochester, MN (Rochesterhonkers.com)  – The Eau Claire Express knocked off the Rochester Honkers 4-0 in Eau Claire, Wis. behind a great start from Dalton Roach (Minnesota State University, Mankato) Tuesday.

Photo courtesy Rochester Honkers
Photo courtesy Rochester Honkers
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The game was delayed one hour due to weather, but that didn’t stop Roach from executing his pitches. The right hander from Eau Claire struck out the first 12 Honker batters, and finished with 18.

The Express got on the board first after a collision between starting pitcher Erik Cha (Cal State Fullerton) and catcher Brett Harrison (North Dakota) on a pop up between the two. The pop up from Daulton Varsho (UW-Milwaukee) ended up on the ground and scored Tommy Hook (Northern Illinois). Tyler Jones (Air Force) followed up with a single up the middle that scored Varsho, giving the Express a 2-0 lead after one.

Jones lined a double down the left field line that scored two, scoring Hook and Mickey McDonald (UI-Chicago) in the bottom of the third, stretching the Express lead to 4-0.

Cha (0-1) threw four innings, struck out four and gave up three earned runs for the Honkers.

The Honkers' home opener is tonight against the Eau Claire Express at Mayo Field. First-pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

The following night, Thursday, the Honkers play host to the Mankato Moondogs at 7:05 p.m.

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