Willmar, MN – A southpaw made a strong bullpen appearance in game two of the twin bill Wednesday night. LHP Austin Briggs (McNeese State) highlighted the relievers with 3 innings and did not surrender an earned run. This was the first bullpen appearance for Briggs since June 18 and these 3 innings were his longest in a game this summer. St. Cloud (20-9) fell short, 6-3, to Willmar in the second game at Bill Taunton Stadium. The Rox took 3 out of 4 games in the series against the Stingers during the past three days. This includes the club’s 20^th win of the season, to break the franchise’s record for the most wins in a first half (dating back to when the Rox became the “Rox” in 2012).

The squad trailed 4-0 heading into the 3^rd inning. With two runners on base, Denis Karas (California) hit a sharp ground ball to short, which looked to be an inning ending double play. However, committed a throwing error and that allowed the Rox to tally two runs on the fielder’s choice. St. Cloud was only down 4-2 after 3 innings.

Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) provided a mini spark to the Rox offense in the 5^th inning a solo home run to right centerfield. This was Bobo’s first homer of the season. St. Cloud trailed 4-3 at this point, but the offense would go into hibernation the rest of the way.

Bobby Gauvreau (Georgia Tech) and Austin Caspersen (St. Cloud State) each tossed two innings for St. Cloud and only surrendered a total of two runs.

The Rox resume action Thursday night at Joe Faber Field. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. against the La Crosse Loggers. The Rox Solid Pregame Warmup starts at 6:35 p.m on 1390 AM The Fan. RHP Matt Shannon (Angelo State) is scheduled to start for the Rox.

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.

The St. Cloud Times Player of the Game is LHP Austin Briggs. The southpaw did not allow an earned run in 3 innings out of the bullpen.

BOX SCORE – http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316880

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.stcloudrox.com