Honkers Fall Despite Strong Pitching Performance

(Rochester, Minn.) –  Alex Fagalde (UC – Riverside) pitched 7.1 innings of shut out ball, but it wasn’t enough as the Honkers fell to the Mankato MoonDogs 4-0 at Mayo Field Monday afternoon in the first game of a double-header.

Fagalde allowed three hits, walked two and struck out 11 MoonDogs in his no decision.

The MoonDogs loaded the bases in the ninth inning, and then got a 2-RBI single from David Metzgar (Cal. St. Bakersfield) as a pinch hitter to give the MoonDogs a 2-0 lead. Brandon Newberg (Ausitn Peay) walked the bases to load the bases, and then Jake Roberts hit a RBI single to make it 3-0. Alvaro Rubalcaba followed with a walk to make the score 4-0 in the MoonDogs favor.

Lance Berringer (0-1) (Washington) picked up the loss for the Honkers; he went 1.2 innings, allowed four runs on four hits, and walked three.

Kody Rock (Maryville State) got the start for Mankato; he threw six scoreless innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out six. Kevin Yarabinec (4-1) (Youngstown State) picked up the win in relief; he threw three scoreless innings, allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Saddle Back) and Jackson Thoreson (St. Mary’s) went 2-for-4 to lead the Honkers offense.

Jake Shepski (Notre Dame) went 2-for-4 with one run scored, and Bryce Adams (LSU) went 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the MoonDogs.

The Honkers fall to 11-13 in the second half and 18-41 overall, while the MoonDogs move to 15-8 in the second half and 37-21 overall.

The Honkers will travel to Mankato to take on the MoonDogs in the second game of a double header. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Tuesday; the Honkers hit the road to take on the Duluth Huskies. The Honkers and Huskies will play on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games starting at 6:35 p.m.