Rox battle back to defeat Huskies; Campbell secures 2 RBIs

DULUTH, Minn — For the first time this season, the St. Cloud Rox made the journey to Wade Stadium to take on the Duluth Huskies. In a low-scoring affair, the visiting squad was able to find victory against Duluth.

The scoring got underway in the bottom of the second with a Cam Frederick sacrifice fly to bring home Jack Painter. Kristian Campbell found the second run for the Huskies on a single into right field. Jonathan Vastine crossed home plate safely to put Duluth ahead, 2-0.

Fast forward to the top of the fifth, St. Cloud found its answer. The Rox matched the Huskies’ two runs on the scoreboard to get things even in the middle frames.

One inning later, the Rox wanted more offense and they got it. After multiple free passes issued by Duluth pitching, St. Cloud found a pair of runs to match their total, going ahead, 4-2.

Campbell brought Vastine home again in the seventh to cut the deficit to one run. Campbell’s two RBIs on the day move his 2022 total to 31.

An RBI base hit in the eighth gave the Rox breathing room heading into the ninth.

The Rox turned to their all-star closer in Chase Grillo. He worked a smooth inning to polish off a 5-3 win against the Huskies.

St. Cloud starter Carson Keithley earned his third victory of the season. He found a quality start in five innings of work, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Alex Potter made his first start for the Huskies in 2022. He matched Keithley with five innings on the mound, giving up six hits resulting in two runs. He had four strikeouts and a walk in the no-decision.

JD McReynolds was handed his first loss of the season after a bumpy top of the sixth in relief.

The loss sends the Huskies to 2-3 (19-15). The victory extends the Rox’ win streak to five games and puts their record at 5-0 (30-8).

The two teams will battle it out once more Monday night at Wade Stadium. The Huskies are searching for a split and have not been swept at home so far this season. The first pitch is slated for 6:35 pm CT.

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The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Huskies as your favorite team.