Rochester, MN — They could practically feel it. The Rox were so close to tying the game, and even taking the lead in the 9th inning tonight. Trailing 5-3, and down to their final three outs they started a furious rally. Matthew Tarantino (Pacific), Shane Selman (McNeese State) and Keaton Kringlen (BYU) hit back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases and put the Honkers on the hot seat. In the end, they would only score 1 run and fall just short in their series opener Saturday night 5-4.

St. Cloud jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning following their rain-out last night. Cameron Eden (Cal) started the game with a lead-off single. Later, Selman blasted his 5th home run of the season to put runs on the board. Then, Kringlen just put enough on a ball to lift it over the Leftfield wall for his 1st of the summer. 

The Rox wouldn't score again until the 9th but stayed within striking distance all game thanks to another brilliant start from Kenny Saenz (BYU). In 6 innings, he gave up just 2 earned runs and 4 hits to a potent Rochester lineup that features several power hitters. The lefty struck out 7 as well, bringing his total to 17 in two starts at Mayo Field.

Now heading home, the Rox look to finish the season series with the Honkers with a win tomorrow afternoon. 1st pitch will be at 4:05 PM for Peanut Allergy Awareness Day. Sunday is also Coborn’s kids day! Kids have the chance to run the bases and get autographs on the field after the game. 

Today's Box Score.

Northwoods League Standings.

Saturday's St. Cloud Times Player of the Night is Shane Selman after hitting his 5th home run of the season, tying him for the team lead, and contributing to the rally in the 9th.

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, 180 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including two- time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champion Ben Zobrist (CHC) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM) and Lucas Duda (NYM). 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 or on Google Play and set the Rox as your favorite team.