St. Cloud, MN– Ben Carew (Kent State) drilled an RBI-single into right field in the bottom of the ninth inning as St. Cloud (23-15) walked-off against Willmar (22-16) by a score of 2-1. St. Cloud has won its first three games in the second half of the season.

After falling behind 1-0, the Rox were able to load the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freddy Achecar (Georgetown) grounded out to first base but scored Jordan Barth (Augustana) in the process to tie the game.

In the top of the ninth inning, Pedro Garcia (Georgia Gwinnett College) struck out two consecutive batters as the Stingers left two runners on base.

With the game still tied 1-1, Brendan Tinsman (Wake Forest) led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single to center field. Brady Harlan (Oklahoma) came in as a pinch-runner. One batter later, Zack Elliott (Minnesota) singled into right field and moved Harlan to third base.

That set up the opportunity for Carew, who singled and scored Harlan to win the game for the Rox.

Rhyse Dee (Wake Forest) started the game and pitched two innings. Lucas Gather (California-Berkeley), Richie Holetz (Nebraska-Omaha), Riley Ahern (St. Cloud State) all saw time on the mound out of the bullpen. Garcia earned the win.

For the full box score from Friday’s game, click here.

The Rox will finish the two-game series against Willmar on Saturday at Bill Taunton Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

St. Cloud returns home on Tuesday, July 9 against Rochester at 7:05 p.m. Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act will be performing throughout the game presented by Brandl Motors. It’s also Rox Baseball Cap Giveaway presented by Franklin Graphics to the first 250 fans.

All single games tickets 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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