Four Additional Players Slated to Return From North Division Championship Team
St. Cloud, MN – The St. Cloud Rox announced this afternoon that four more players from the 2015 North Division Championship team that posted a 51-25 record while reaching the Summer Collegiate World Series will return for the 2016 season. The list of returners includes infielder Brandon Benson, pitcher Sheldon Miks and outfielders Webb Bobo and Marcus Carson.
Benson, a 6’1” junior infielder at Georgia College and State University played in 58 games for the Rox in 2015. He totaled 54 base hits on the season. His batting average of .293 was third best on the team. Benson’s offensive production included two homeruns and 27 runs batted in.
Miks is a 6’4” left handed pitcher currently a sophomore at St. Cloud State University. Miks joined the Rox in 2015 following his freshman season with the Huskies where he was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Freshman of the Year as well as being named First Team All-Conference. Last season for the Rox, Miks appeared in 14 games, starting nine. Over 49.1 innings pitched during the regular season, he posted a 5-1 record with a 2.73 earned run average.
Bobo is a 6’2” junior at Southeastern Louisiana University. He played outfield and first base for the Rox during 54 games in 2015. Bobo hit .271 last season including four homeruns and 29 runs batted in. He also represented the Rox in the 2015 Major League Dreams Showcase where he had a base hit and drew a walk.
Carson is a 5’8” junior outfielder at the University of Kentucky. He played in 27 games for the Rox during the second half of the season in 2015. Carson had a batting average of .280 on the season including 26 base hits. He was a top contributor during the 2015 Northwoods League Playoffs where he was 6 for 17 (.353) at the plate with three runs batted in over four games.
In total the Rox now have nine players returning for the 2016 season. Rodriguez, along with the Rox organization will continue to build the roster for the 2016 season.
The Rox will play their 5th season of Northwoods League baseball in 2016. The home opener at Joe Faber Field is scheduled for Saturday, June 4th at 7:05pm against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Season and group tickets for the 2016 season are currently on sale. For more information regarding this release or game schedule please contact the Rox front office at (320) 240-9798 or visit www.stcloudrox.com
Returners from 2015 Bats/Throws School Positions
Austin Athmann R / R University of Minnesota C, 1B
Brandon Benson R / R Georgia College and State University 3B, SS, 2B
Webb Bobo L / R Southeastern Louisiana University OF, 1B
Marcus Carson L / R University of Kentucky CF
Trevor Charpie R / R University of Nevada, Reno RHP
Sheldon Miks L / L St Cloud State University LHP
Brett Pope L / R Western Carolina University SS, 2B
Collin Strall R / R Louisiana State University RHP
Michael Strem R / R Boston College 1B, OF
The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Preparing for its 23nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com.