Duluth, MN – Garrett Delano (Brown) finished with three hits and scored two runs but St. Cloud (2-5) dropped an 11-inning game to Duluth (5-2) at Wade Stadium by a score of 7-6. Justin Simanek (Southeastern Louisiana) was strong on the mound in the start, giving up one run in 5.1 innings of work in his season debut.

The Rox broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning when Zack Elliott (Minnesota) hit a ground ball up the middle that scored Delano from third base.

St. Cloud would extend their lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning after Brady Harlan (Oklahoma) hit an RBI single and Dustin Wilcox (Minot State) blasted an RBI double to left field.

Delano would tack on an extra run for the Rox in the top of the seventh inning with an RBI single hit up the middle.

Tied 4-4 entering extra innings, St. Cloud would experience the new ITB format for the first time with the last batter in the last inning being automatically placed on second base. They would quickly score Jordan Barth from third base on a sac-fly hit to left field from Harlan. Duluth would score one run in the bottom of the tenth inning to tie the game at 5-5.

The Rox would respond in the top of the eleventh inning, finding another way to score. Gus Steiger (South Dakota State) scored from third base after Ben Carew grounded into fielder’s choice to go ahead 6-5. However, Duluth would plate two runs in the bottom of the eleventh inning to win 7-6.

Gus Radel (Minnesota), Taylor Lepard (USC Upstate) and Joey Stock (St. Johns) all saw action out of the bullpen for the Rox.

St. Cloud will be back at home on Tuesday with a 7:05 first pitch as they take on Duluth in the series finale.  It’s Poster Schedule Giveaway Night presented by McDonald’s Meats to the first 1,500 fans. Fans can also receive a certificate for a free taco from Taco John’s.

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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