Mankato, MN – Ryan Swanson (North Iowa Area CC) pitched six innings without allowing a hit, but St. Cloud (3-6) dropped game one of the series to Mankato (4-5) by a score of 6-4. Trent Brown (Oklahoma) and Zack Elliott (Minnesota) both recorded three hits.

The scoring began for the Rox in the top of the third inning when Cam Kline (Minnesota State-Mankato) scored on a wild pitch. Four batters later, Jordan Barth (Augustana) hit a 2-RBI single to left field that put St. Cloud ahead 3-0.

After falling behind in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Rox began to rally needing three runs to keep the game going. After two singles, Tyler Finke (Southeastern Louisiana) singled to right field and scored Brown. The rally would end just short, leaving two runners in scoring position to end the game.

Swanson finished his start hurling seven innings and surrendering just three hits while striking out three batters. Kevin Davis (USC Upstate) pitched the eighth inning out of the bullpen.

St. Cloud will be back at home on Thursday with a 7:05 first pitch as they finish the series with Mankato. It’s Traeger Grill Giveaway Night presented by Arrow Ace Hardware and Paint. The first 400 fans 18 and older receive a key that can be used to unlock a Traeger Grill valued at over $1,000 at Arrow Ace located on Veterans Drive, St. Cloud from June 7th through June 10th. It’ll also be a Thirsty Thursday as every fan will leave the Rock Pile with a two-for-one beverage coupon at Legend’s Bar and Grill.

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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