Willmar, MN – St. Cloud (19-11) picked up their third consecutive win in game one of the doubleheader against Willmar (18-14) on Sunday by a score of 9-3. RJ Martinez (Minot State) struck out eight batters in seven innings pitched.

After falling behind 1-0, the Rox quickly responded. Collin Montez (Washington State) led off with a single and eventually scored on an error to tie the game in the second inning.

St. Cloud then erupted for a five-run fourth inning. Montez led off with a bunt single and was followed by a Garret Delano (Mercer) base hit. Luke Roskam (Nebraska) scored Montez after reaching on a fielder’s choice. After Kodie Kolden (Washington State) reached on an error, Ben Norman (Iowa) drilled a two-out, three-run home run to left field. It was his first of the season. Jordan Barth (Augustana) later ripped a two-out single up the middle and scored the fifth run of the inning.

Leading 6-1 in the sixth inning, Jack Kelly (Minnesota) smacked a double off the wall in center field and scored Kolden. 

Andrew Pintar (BYU) extended the Rox lead to 9-1 in the eighth inning. After Norman led off with a walk, the freshman hammered a two-run home run to right field. It was his first long ball of the season.

Martinez was sensational in the start, tossing seven innings and striking out eight batters while issuing just one walk. Justin Wick (Creighton) struck out two batters over the final two innings on the mound.

For the full box score from game one of Sunday’s doubleheader, click here.

The Rox will conclude the three-game series with the Stingers at 6:05 pm on Sunday at Bill Taunton Stadium. It’s the second game of the doubleheader.

St. Cloud returns home on Wednesday, August 12th against Willmar. The game is scheduled for a 7:05 pm start time at Joe Faber Field.

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.