Rochester, MN – St. Cloud (2-1) scored eight runs in the eighth inning to help secure a series sweep of the Rochester Honkers (0-2) at Mayo Field.

The scoring started quickly with the Rox pushing two runs across in the first inning. Nate Rombach (Texas Tech) reached on a fielder’s choice and scored Ben Norman (Iowa). Andrew Pintar would extend the lead to 2-0 following a passed ball.

In the fifth inning, Rochester climbed within one run of the Rox. Jordan Barth (Augustana) then ripped a triple that got under the center fielder’s glove and rolled all the way to wall, allowing Pintar to score. It put the Rox ahead 3-1.

Leading 3-2 entering the eighth inning, the Rox broke the game open by scoring eight runs. St. Cloud batted through its batting lineup and took advantage of four walks. Sam Ireland (Minnesota) blasted a crucial two-run single to put the Rox ahead 5-2. Ben Norman (Iowa) would later drive in a run and Barth would follow up two at-bats later with a two-run single. 

In the ninth inning, the Rox stayed aggressive at the plate. Cody Kelly (Minnesota) blasted the first home run of St. Cloud’s season to right field in what was his first career start with the franchise.

Noah Myhre (Minot State) earned Northwoods League Pitcher of the Night honors and received the win after striking out five batters over two innings pitched. Justin Kelly (Utah), Gabriel Sequeira (Texas Wesleyan), Will Anderson (Minnesota), Justin Simanek (Southeastern Louisiana) and Justin Wick (Creighton) all saw time on the mound in the Rox win.

With the victory, St. Cloud moves into a share of first place in the Minnesota/Iowa Pod standings.

St. Cloud is off on Saturday and Sunday, but return to action on Monday. The Rox will open a two-game road series with the Waterloo Bucks at Riverfront Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.

The Rox will return home to the Rock Pile on Wednesday, July 8th at 7:05 pm against the Mankato MoonDogs.

If you would like more information on tickets for the 2020 season, or more information regarding this press release,  please contact the Rox front office at 320-240-9798 or visit stcloudrox.com.

The St. Cloud Rox are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 26th season, the Northwoods 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 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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.