August 11, 2021
Bismarck, ND – St. Cloud (49-16) took the lead in the ninth to knock off Bismarck (28-37) in a 10-8 series-opening victory to tie the franchise record for wins in a season.
The bottom of the order came up huge for the Rox in the late innings after allowing six straight runs to fall behind 8-6. Brice Matthews (Nebraska) started the rally in the seventh inning that ended up tying the game at eight. He came across to score the go-ahead run in the ninth inning as well. Matthews reached base all five times he came to the plate.
Jack Steil (Nebraska) drove Matthews in both times with singles right back up the middle. Steil posted his 14th and 15th RBI’s of the season and then came across to score the final run in the ninth to give the Rox some cushion.
It was Peter Abinanti (San Diego) who tied the game at eight in the seventh inning with his second RBI single of the game. Abinanti has at least one hit in all 14 games he has started with the Rox this summer.
Out of the bullpen, the final three innings were left all to Ethan Skuija (Cal. State Bakersfield) who earned his first win of the season. Skuija struck out four batters while only allowing one hit to finish off the Rox’ comeback victory.
For a full box score from Tuesday’s game, click here.
The Rox have already locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and will start off their playoff schedule in Mankato on Sunday afternoon. St. Cloud will open its home playoff schedule on Monday night from Joe Faber Field For the full Northwoods League standings, click here.
St. Cloud will try and win its 50th game of the season for the first time in franchise history on Thursday night in Bismarck. First pitch against the Larks is scheduled for 6:35 pm. The Rox return home for their final regular-season series against the Minnesota Mud Puppies on Friday.
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’ 27th 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 250 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 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 Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). 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 App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rox as your favorite team.
