Freshman Vincent Jackson (University of Tennessee Vols’), sophomore Blake Headley (University of Nebraska Cornhuskers), sophomore Michael Healey and freshman William Nastasi (University of Connecticut Huskies’), juniors Garrett and Kyle Fischer (St. Cloud State University Huskies), have all signed to play for the Rox this summer.
Jackson was named a 2012 Rawlings Second Team All-American and to the 2012 Rawlings All-Southeast Region Team. He earned 2011 Perfect Game Underclass First Team All-American accolades and named to the 2011 New Balance All-Area Code Games Team. As a senior he hit .360 with five home runs, 33 RBIs and only struck out once. Also went 4-1 with 55 strikeouts and a 2.38 ERA in 35.1 innings on the mound. Jackson is a native of McDonough, Ga.
In high school he was selected to the 2011 Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason All-Region Team and helped lead his team to back-to-back District Championships and an appearance in the Pennsylvania (AAA) State Championship game as a senior. Healey is a native of Tunkhannock, Pa.
He played in 11 games with 59.1 innings pitched. Kyle pitched 46 strikeouts and recorded a 4-2 record with the Stingers. With St. Cloud State he made 11 starts and 16 appearances owning a stellar 2.21 earned run average in 2012. Posted an 8-3 record in 77.1 innings pitched and was third on the team with 64 strikeouts his sophomore season.
Named to the Daktronics All-Central Region Second Team, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Second Team, and All-NSIC First Team. So far this season at SCSU he has a 3-1 record in 26 innings pitched.
Garrett played in 12 games posting nine runs on 13 hits and 5 RBI for the MoonDogs. Last spring with St. Cloud State he played in 59 games finishing with a team-high .407 batting average (24th in the nation) and had 21 multi-hit games. Led his team with 79 hits, three triples, and made just one error. Named to the All-NCAA Central Region Tournament Team, NSIC All-Tournament Team, and All-NSIC Second Team. So far this season he has six runs on 11 hits with six RBIs. Fischer is a native of New Ulm, Minn.
Some notable Northwoods League alumni are: Curtis Granderson (Yankees), Josh Willingham (Twins) Andre Ethier (Dodgers), Jordan Zimmerman (Nationals) and Ben Zobrist (Rays).
The Rox home opener is set for May 31 against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. with a fantastic firework show presented by Coborn’s to follow the game. For additional information call the Rox office at (320) 240-9798 or on the web at www.stcloudrox.com.