Willmar, MN – The St. Cloud Rox winning streak came to an end Monday night as they were defeated by the Willmar Stingers 7-3 at Taunton Stadium. The Rox had a six-game winning streak going in to the contest and outhit Willmar 10-7, but the Stingers struck six times in the middle innings to walk away with the win.

The Rox (9-5) got out to a quick 2-0 lead Monday night with a two-RBI single from Clay Ardeeser to score Eric Loxtercamp and Mitchell Kranson in the first inning. They tacked on another in the third when Robert Youngdahl scored on a passed ball to give the Rox a 3-1 lead after two.

From there, Willmar scored two in the fourth and two more in the fifth to take the lead from Rox starter Will Craig, who went 4.2 innings while allowing five runs and striking out five to pick up the loss (0-2). Tyler Deel then completed the fifth inning for the Rox and allowed two more runs in the sixth before Matt Rodgers threw the final two innings and kept the Stingers scoreless while striking out three as the final score read 8-3 in favor of the Stingers.

Eric Loxtercamp led the way offensively for the Rox, going 3-for-5 with a run scored and Ardeeser also tacked on two hits, including his 10^th double of the season as Mitchell Kranson and Harrison Wenson also added doubles for the Rox.

Tonight’s box score can be found at http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=221679.

The Rox will begin a six-game home stand tomorrow night, beginning with the Waterloo Bucks, who come to Joe Faber Field for a two-game series. After the Bucks, the Rox will play another two-game series with the Duluth Huskies and finish the home stand with two games against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. Tuesday’s game between the Rox and the Bucks will begin at 7:05 p.m. and will be Rox Replica Jersey Giveaway, presented by Coborn’s and the St. Cloud Times for the first 500 kids 14-and-under.

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 www.sctimes.com.