St. Cloud, Minn. – A ninth inning comeback attempt fell short for the St. Cloud Rox (9-5, 33-16) as they fell to the Duluth Huskies (6-9, 24-27) by a final score of 14-7. The Rox scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth in a comeback effort, and got a history making outing from starter Logan Salow (Kentucky).

On Reese Gregory bobblehead night at the Rock Pile, Salow joined the former All-Star in the Rox record books. Salow became the fifth pitcher in franchise history to strike out 50 batters in a season. He has struck out 58 batters so far this season, which ranks third in franchise history for a single season strikeout total, only behind Gregory’s totals of 71 in 2014 and 66 in 2015.

Salow was dominant on the mound early. He got his first strikeout on the third batter of the game before striking out the side in order in the second. Every out in the fourth inning would also come on a strikeout from Salow. He finished his night with nine total strikeouts.

The Rox would get on the board first, pushing a run across in the bottom of the second. Brendan Illies (North Carolina) drew a lead-off walk, and was followed by a double from Brandon Benson (Georgia College and State University). After Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Marcus Carson (Kentucky) beat out a double-play allowing the run to score on a fielder’s choice.

Duluth took the lead in the top of the fourth, but the Rox would answer and tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Benson and Bobo led off the inning by getting on base once again. Carson then laced a double down the left field line driving in Benson for his second RBI of the night. Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) drew his 43^rd walk of the season to load the bases, then two wild pitches would bring home two more runs for the Rox.

St. Cloud attempted a comeback effort down 10 runs in the ninth. Two walks and a single loaded the bases, allowing Mark Skonieczny (Illinois) to drive an RBI single back up the middle. Benson drew a bases loaded walk, and a wild pitch allowed Michael Strem (Boston College) to come home, putting the score at 14-7, where the game would end.

The Rox and Huskies will face off once again on Sunday at Wade Stadium in Duluth. The Rox will return to Joe Faber Field on Thursday, July 28^th to take on the Rockford Rivets at 7:05 p.m. The award winning national entertainment act “Zooperstars” will be at the Rock Pile presented by Plaza Park Bank and Times Media. It will also be Rox Pint Glass Giveaway number two presented by Beaver Island Brewing Company. The first 400 fans 21 and older will receive a collector’s pint glass.

Tonight’s St. Cloud Times Player of the Game was Marcus Carson for his effort 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.