Mankato, MN –  Brandon Benson (Georgia College) smashed his team leading 5^th home run of the season to lead off the fifth inning. This sparked the Rox, who ultimately came away with a 9-6 victory over the Mankato MoonDogs. St. Cloud owns the best overall record in the Northwoods League with 35 wins and only 16 losses. The Granite City club remains in first place in the second half North Division standings. The Rox increased their lead to 1.5 games ahead of the MoonDogs. There are 20 regular season games remaining.

That 5^th inning was critical for St. Cloud. The squad polished off 5 runs in the frame. In addition to the Benson home run, Michael Strem (Boston College) dumped a two-run single into the outfield with two outs as part of the rally. In total, the offense posted 5 of their 9 runs with two outs.

Prior to the 5^th, the Rox tallied two runs in the 4^th inning off of two separate wild pitches. Ricky Ramirez (McNeese State) and Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) were the two players who scored.

RHP Carlo Graffeo (Southeastern Louisiana) lasted 4 innings as the Rox starter and only allowed one run. He was taken out of the game with a sore groin. Rox reliever Brian Glowicki (Minnesota) picked up the slack from Collin Strall (LSU) who surrendered 5 earned runs. Glowicki pitched the final two innings and did not allow a run. He earned his 5^th save of the season. Brian has made eight appearances this year and has not allowed a run in 11 innings.

The Rox battle the MoonDogs again Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. CT and the Rox Solid Pregame Warmup starts at 6:35 p.m. LHP Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State – Mankato) will make the start for St. Cloud.

The team returns to Joe Faber Field on Thursday July 28^th to begin an eight game homestand. The entertaining act of ZOOperstars presented by Plaza Park Bank & Times Media will perform on July 28^th. First pitch for that game is at 7:05 p.m.

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(s) of the Game is Brian Glowicki. He earned his 5^th save of the season with two shutout innings.

BOX SCORE – http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317083

 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