St. Cloud, Minn. – In another nail-biter at Joe Faber Field on Sunday, the St. Cloud Rox (15-6, 39-17) completed a sweep of the Thunder Bay Border Cats (7-15, 13-44) by a final score of 2-1, identical to the score of Saturday’s series opener.

Just like game one of the series, offense was scarce. The defense however was on display all night from the Rox. St. Cloud turned two double plays and first baseman Ricky Ramirez (McNeese State) had a few highlight reel plays, including a sliding catch in foul territory for the first out of the game.

Every run of the game came in the fifth inning. Thunder Bay scored first in the top of the fifth, but Rox had an answer, getting two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Denis Karas (Cal Berkeley) beat a high throw from the Border Cats third baseman to reach on an error to start the home fifth. Mason Mamarella (Kent State) followed with a single, putting Karas on third. Drew Freedman (Nova Southeastern) hit a double to the gap that brought in Karas and put Mamarella on third. Two batters later Angelo Altavilla (Nebraska) recorded his first RBI of the year by lifting a sacrifice fly to the warning track allowing Mamarella to come home.

Starting pitcher Austin Caspersen (St. Cloud State) lasted 6.1 innings allowing just the one run and striking out one batter. He earned his first win in his last six starts, and tied his second longest outing of the season.

Collin Strall continued his dominance out of the bullpen, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings with only one hit. He earned his ninth save of the year and lowered his ERA to a team-best 1.69.

With the win the Rox stay at the top of the North Division standings for both the second half, and overall records. St. Cloud also holds the best record in the Northwoods League, which if coupled with a second half division crown, would seal home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the Rox.

The Rox eight game homestand will continue on Monday, as they host the Willmar Stingers to a day-night double header at the Rock Pile. Game one will start at 12:05 p.m. Come play hooky as we celebrate 25 years since Ferris Bueller had his day off. Game two will start at 7:05 p.m. Jimmy Buffet Night presented by Bank of America. The Rox will be wearing special tropical themed jerseys.

Tonight’s St. Cloud Times Player of the Game was Ricky Ramirez for his dazzling defensive plays. 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.