Rochester, MN – Despite trailing the first eight innings of the game, St. Cloud (1-1) scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning to secure its first victory of the season on Wednesday afternoon.

The Rox got a terrific start from Ryan Swanson (North Iowa Area CC) as he gave up just three runs in six innings pitched.

St. Cloud scored their first run of the game in the top of the seventh inning when Freddy Achecar (Georgetown) singled to right field, scoring Jordan Barth (Augustana) from second base.

Taylor Lepard (USC Upstate) pitched the seventh and eighth innings, facing six batters and not allowing one on base. He would later earn the win.

In the top of the ninth inning, trailing 3-1, the Rox began to rally. Thomas Delgadillo (Academy of Art) led off the inning with a single to left field. Tyler Finke (Southeastern Louisiana) was drilled by a pitch in the next at bat, setting up an opportunity for Barth. He executed a push bunt down the right side of the infield and was safe at first base.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Gus Steiger (South Dakota State) hit a 2-RBI single to left field that tied the game 3-3. Two batters later, Andrew Garcia (Cal State-San Marcos) was at the plate with Barth on second base and Steiger on first base with two outs and two strikes in the count. He then crushed a 2-RBI double down the left field line that scored both runners on base and St. Cloud claimed the lead 5-3.

Kevin Davis (USC Upstate) closed out the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

St. Cloud will take on the Waterloo Bucks Thursday and Friday in a two-game road series. Both games will begin at 6:35. They will return home Saturday and Sunday to face the Bismarck Larks.

The Rox home opener is Saturday, June 1 at 7:05 p.m., featuring post-game fireworks presented by Coborn’s. The first pitch will be thrown out by World Series Champion and former Minnesota Twin Steve Lombardozzi. To view and download the full 2019 Rox schedule, click here.

All single games tickets – including to the home opener – can be purchased now in person at the Rox Ticket Office located at the Municipal Athletic Complex, by calling the Rox Ticket office at 320-240-9798 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 24 hours a day by visiting www.stcloudrox.com.

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (MIA).  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.

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