Eau Claire, WI – The St. Cloud Rox took advantage of two early runs Saturday night and got out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth inning to defeat the Eau Claire Express 3-2 at Carson Park. The Rox were leading 3-0 heading in to the ninth inning, but the Express attempted to mount a comeback as Trevor Charpie eventually recorded the final out on the mound to seal the victory for St. Cloud.

Reese Gregory (W, 3-1) made his fourth start of the season for the Rox and kept the Express off the scoreboard in his 6.1 innings of work while giving up just one hit and striking out six. St. Cloud was the first to tally a run Saturday night as Boo Vazquez roped a double in the third inning that scored Seth Heck and Will Craig to make it 2-0.

After Gregory’s start to the game, Tyler Deel came in for relief with one out in the seventh and proceeded to get out of the inning, and retire the side in the eighth to keep the score at the same pace. In the ninth, the Rox added another run off doubles from Chris Paul and Kade Scivicque to make it 3-0 heading in to the bottom of the inning.

Deel started the ninth for the Rox, but allowed the first two batters to reach base as field manager Augie Rodriguez turned to reliever Chad Hockin to finish the game. Hockin then retired the next two batters, but allowed two straight singles to break the Eau Claire scoreless streak and make it a one-run game with a runner in scoring position. Hockin got down in the count to the very next batter, which prompted the Rox to bring in Trevor Charpie for the final out of the game, who proceeded to walk the first batter he faced and strike out the second to stop the rally and give the Rox (14-11) the 3-2 victory.

Each team posted just four hits in the contest, as three of St. Cloud’s four tallies at the plate went for doubles, while Vazquez and Scivicque each recorded RBIs in the win.

Tonight’s box score can be found at http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=210347.

The Rox now head to Waterloo for two games to be played over the next two nights, before returning to Joe Faber Field on June 24^th for a matchup with the Alexandria Blue Anchors. The first 400 fans into the June 24^th contest will receive a Rox can koozie, presented by Andy’s Towing.

Single game tickets can be purchased 24 hours a day at www.stcloudrox.com, by calling (320) 240-9798 or by visiting the Rox ticket office located at the Municipal Athletic Complex.

For more coverage of the Rox, visit sctimes.com.