La Crosse, WI – It was a unique gift-wrapped start to the third game of the season for the Rox. Ricky Ramirez (McNeese State), Brandon Benson (Georgia College), and Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) drew three walks in the first inning. The Rox pushed three runs across thanks to a couple of fielders choice groundouts with the bases loaded even though the team only got one hit in this frame. La Crosse starter Kevin Flemer faced only four batters and did not record an out. He was taken out due to an injury not announced. St Cloud’s (0-3) offense ultimately went silent and fell 4-3 to La Crosse (1-2).

Starting RHP Andrew Burnick (University of Pennsylvania) was brilliant to start the contest. He did not allow a hit through the first three innings. Burnick experienced trouble in the fourth inning as he let up back-to-back solo home runs. The ball continued to fly for the La Crosse offense in the fifth. Burnick was pulled from the game after he allowed another solo home run. The right-hander finished with one strikeout, four hits allowed, and three earned runs in 4.1 innings. After five innings, the Rox trailed the Loggers 4-3. 

This contest shaped up to be a battle amongst two bullpen arms. Jake Stevenson's (University of Minnesota) first appearance out of the bullpen for the Rox this year was a strong one. He went 3.2 innings, surrendered just one run, and struck out 7 batters.

RHP Zach Kesterson (Duke) was summoned on unexpectedly in the first inning due to an injury for La Crosse. The hurler tossed 7.2 innings of scoreless baseball.

Two position players for the Rox made their debut in the starting lineup tonight. Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) went 1-2 and earned two walks as the first baseman. Denis Karas (California) started a double play in the field in the eighth inning and also picked up an RBI.

The Rox were patient at the plate all night as they drew five walks in the game. In the first two games, St. Cloud only walked twice.

On Friday, the club will conclude its road trip with a second contest against the La Crosse Loggers. RHP Quentin Sefcik (Illinois) will take the ball and start for St. Cloud. RHP Jonathan Teaney (San Diego) is scheduled to start for the Loggers. First pitch is slated for 7:05pm at Copeland Park and the Rock Solid Pregame Warmup begins 30 minutes prior on 1390thefan.com for 1390 AM.

Tonight’s St. Cloud Times Player of the Game is Jake Stevenson (Minnesota). Stevenson registered seven strikeouts in relief. For more coverage of the Rox during the 2016 season visit www.sctimes.com.

For more stats and information about tonight’s game, here is the boxscore:

http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316632

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.

It’s opening week in Minnesota in the Northwoods League presented by Minnesota College Savings Plan.

The Minnesota College Savings Plan, is Minnesota’s official 529 college savings plan. It takes just $25 to start, making it easier for families to save for higher education expenses. Funds saved can be used at colleges, technical schools and grad schools nationwide to cover the cost of tuition, as well as books, supplies and other qualified expenses. Additionally, SavingforCollege.com recently ranked the Minnesota College Savings Plan as one of the nation’s top performing direct sold 529 plans. Find out more at www.mnsaves.org

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23^rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest summer collegiate 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com.