St. Cloud, Minn. – Searching for their first win of the season, the Rox got a masterful pitching performance from Logan Salow (Kentucky) in their home opener, giving St. Cloud (1-4) a 6-0 victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats (0-5).

Salow got off to a hot start early, striking out two batters in each of the first two innings. He would strike out ten batters total, only allowing only three hits and one walk. He went seven scoreless innings throwing 79 pitches.

The Rox bats were alive early once again, as the offense put two runs on the board in the opening inning, both scoring on a Marcus Carson (Kentucky) double. The Rox have now scored nine of their nineteen runs in the first inning of the game this season.

The Border Cats recorded their first hit to open the third inning, but a double play behind Salow quickly erased the threat.

In the bottom of the third Ben Petersen (North Dakota State) extended the Rox lead, putting a ball over the left field fence, bringing the score to 3-0 in favor of St. Cloud. It was Petersen’s first home run and second RBI of the season.

TJ Friedl (Nevada) showed off his wheels to score a run in the fourth inning. Two Thunder Bay errors allowed him to get to second base, and a stolen base and wild pitch allowed him to come home for the fourth run of the night.

Friedl’s speed was on display again four innings later as he hit a two-run triple that scored Denis Karas (Cal Berkeley) and Brendan Illies (North Carolina) giving the Rox a six run cushion heading into the final frame of the game.

Following Salow’s dominance on the mound, Chris Martin (Kent State) came on in the eighth and pitched two scoreless innings to seal the win. Martin only allowed one hit in his outing and struck out two batters.

Thunder Bay threatened in the ninth, putting two runners on base with only one out, but a great running catch by Carson saved a run and the next batter flew out to Mason Mamarella (Kent State) in left field to end the game.

Between the two pitchers, Rox pitchers faced only five more batters than the minimum. At the plate, five of the Rox starters recorded a hit, and every starter for St. Cloud managed to reach base.

Tonight’s game one St. Cloud Times Player of the Game was Logan Salow following his fantastic pitching performance. For more coverage of the Rox during the 2016 season visit www.sctimes.com.

For more stats and information about the game, here is the boxscore.

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.

About the Minnesota College Savings Plan

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^nd 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 150 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 (KC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com.         

– See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/st-cloud-rox/2015/08/03/rox-clinch-playoff-spot-with-sweep-over-stingers/#sthash.EpdKPvn0.dpuf