St. Cloud, Minn. – For the second straight night the St. Cloud Rox engaged in a close fought playoff battle at the Rock Pile, but their quest for another trip to the Summer Collegiate World Series came up just short as they fell to the Eau Claire Express in 11 innings.

The Rox trailed 3-0 going into the final regulation frame, but were able to launch a comeback to push it to extras. The rally would start with a lead-off single from Michael Strem (Boston College). He was followed by Webb Bobo (Southeastern Louisiana) who was hit by a pitch. A fielder’s choice from Angelo Altavilla (Nebraska) advanced the runner, setting up the biggest at-bat of the game for the home team.

            Marcus Carson (Kentucky) was the late inning hero for the Rox as drove in the first two Rox runs of the game by lacing a triple and sliding in just safe at third. Two batters later Luke Ringhofer (South Dakota State) picked up a single, bringing in Carson and tying the game.

            Both teams were held in check in the tenth inning, but the Express put five on the board in the 11th. Altavilla chipped away at the lead in the home half of the 11th lifting a lead-off home run, but it was not enough to bring the Rox all the way back.

            The Rox pitching was solid throughout the regulation innings, allowing just three unearned runs. Robbie Palkert (Nebraska) started the game and threw five innings with just three hits and not allowing an earned run. Collin Strall (LSU) followed with 1.1 innings and also did not allow an earned run.

            Brian Glowicki was next out of the bullpen and had his longest outing of the year. He threw the final four innings of the game, striking out five batters but ultimately picking up the loss.

            The Rox end the season with an overall record of 49-24, which is their second most wins in franchise history, behind last year’s win total of 51. The team set single season record for walks, runs, and saves as well as setting multiple individual single season records, and collecting multiple individual accolades throughout the year.

Tonight’s St. Cloud Times Player of the Game was Marcus Carson his big triple in the ninth. 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.