Rox Top Honkers With Another Big Night

St. Cloud, Minn. – Michael Strem continued his hot streak and Marcus Carson had a career night at the plate Saturday, as the St. Cloud Rox (6-3, 30-14) defeated the Rochester Honkers (4-7, 11-35) by a final score of 13-3.

The quarter drop that was scheduled to happen after Saturday’s game has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 31st.

Strem collected a season-high five RBI for the second straight night. Carson tied a career high with three RBI and hit his first career home run in a Rox jersey.

The Honkers got out to a quick start by scoring two runs in the first two innings. The Rox answered back in the bottom of the second tying the game at two runs a piece. Brett Pope (Western Carolina) led off the inning with a bunt single, and took second on a throwing error. Brendan Illies (North Carolina) would follow with another single, bringing Pope home. Later in the inning Strem drew a bases loaded walk to bring in the game tying run.

The duo of Carson and Strem were back at it in the fourth as Carson singled, stole a base, and came in to score on a Strem groundout.

The Rox did most of their damage in the fifth inning, putting five runs on the board. Illies and Mason Mamarella (Kent State) got on base, setting the stage for a three run home run by Carson. Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) was hit by a pitch, and Strem followed by driving him in with a triple. It was his first triple and 11^th extra base hit of the season. Denis Karas (Cal Berkeley) then hit his team-high 12^th double of the season to bring Strem home, giving the Rox an 8-3 lead.

The combination of Austin Caspersen (St. Cloud State), Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State, Mankato), and Robbie Palkert had the Honkers under control for six innings. The trio only allowed three runs and combined for six strikeouts. The duo of Austin Dubsky (Murray State) and Brian Glowicki worked the final two innings and did not give up a run.

After the top of the sixth inning the game was put into a weather delay by passing rain. After an hour delay, the game was resumed for one batter before lightning put the game back into delay.

The game resumed in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a scoreless sixth for the Rox, the offense roared back to life in the fourth, scoring four runs. The inning was highlighted by an RBI triple from Pope that brought home Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana). The final run of the game came in the eighth, as Strem brought in Carson for his fifth RBI.

The Rox and Honkers will meet again on Sunday at the Rock Pile with first pitch scheduled for 5:05. It is Pink in the Park day presented by Center for Diagnostic Imaging. The Rox Pink jersey’s will be auctioned off following the game. The first 350 fans receive a pink Rox cap courtesy of Media. Coborn’s Kid’s Day. Kids have the opportunity to run the bases and get autographs on the field following the game.

Tonight’s game one St. Cloud Times Player of the Game was Marcus Carson for his night at the plate. 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.

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 or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.