LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Rockford Rivets scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back in denting the north division title hopes of the St. Cloud Rox 12-3 on Independence Day at Rivets Stadium.

 

The Rivets got off to a great start against Minnesota State-Mankato’s Aaron Rozek (2-1).  Walks to Michael Smith (San Jacinto JC), Cade Bunnell (Madison Tech), and David Cronin (Illinois-Chicago), Texas Tech’s Hunter Hargrove cleared the bases with a three run double to make it 3-0 Rivets.

 

After St. Cloud scored a run in the sixth, Rockford answered as Hunter Steinmetz (Missouri State) launched his first home run of the summer to right field as part of a three run sixth inning that extended the lead to 6-1 in support of Nick Drahozal (3-2).

 

Rockford put the game beyond doubt in the seventh by scoring six runs on only one hit, a Ricardo Ramirez (Illinois-Chicago) three run double that made the score 12-1.  The Rox would get two consolations runs in the ninth, but it was not nearly enough.

 

The Rivets will conclude the two game series at home against the St. Cloud Rox Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m.  Broadcasts and live streams can be found at NorthwoodsLeague.com. 

 

 

 

 

Rockford is a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League, which will play its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016. The Northwoods League is the largest organized 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 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox), Jordan Zimmermann (Detroit Tigers), Curtis Granderson (New York Mets), Lucas Duda (Mets) and Ben Zobrist (Chicago Cubs). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website, NorthwoodsLeague.com. For more information, visit RockfordRivets.com.