The Duluth Huskies (24-27) doubled up the St. Cloud Rox (33-16) in game one of their split series.
The Huskies rode a 15-hit attack complete with back-to-back home runs to a 14-7 road win in game one of a split-location series with the St. Cloud Rox.
After St. Cloud took a 1-0 lead in the second, the Carter Hanford, Jake Pries and Dillon Paulson all hit singles to jumpstart what would become a four-run fourth to give the Huskies the lead. However, the Rox responded with three of their own in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game at four.
The Huskies took the lead for good in the fifth, though, with Pries and Paulson opening the inning with back-to-back home runs, chasing the Rox starter. Justin Ambrosino followed with a walk; Reid Long singled; and Matt Brown was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Casey Moses plated one with a fielder's choice to put the score at 7-4 Huskies after four and a half.
From there on Alex Ferguson, who picked up the win in relief, and David Kroger put up zeros through the 8th while the offense continued to add on, plating two in the sixth, three in the seventh and two in the ninth to give the Huskies a 14-4 lead.
The Rox scored three in the bottom of the ninth, but Drew Molin got designated hitter Webb Bobo to fly out to end it.
Henry DeCaster got the start for the Huskies, going 3.2 innings giving up four earned runs on four hits and five walks. He struck out four but did not factor into the decision. Ferguson finished with a scoreless 1.1 giving up one hit and one walk, while Kroger went 3.2 surrendering only one earned run on four hits and three walks and tallying one strikeout.
Five Huskies had multi-hit games with Moses and Pries having three hits each. Paulson, Brendan McClary and Austin Bernard all finished with two hits.
The Huskies return to Duluth on Sunday, July 24th to battle the St. Cloud Rox. First pitch from Wade Stadium is set for 3:05.
On July 24th the Huskies are celebrating Christmas in July sponsored by Bentleyville. There will be fire pits for roasting marshmallows outside Wade Stadium, a fully decorated Christmas tree inside the main concourse, and fans will receive an ornament while supplies last. For more information, contact the Duluth Huskies front office at 218-786-9909 or huskies@duluthhuskies.com