ST. CLOUD ROX (21-11) vs. MANKATO MOONDOGS (13-17)

June 26 – June 27

ISG Field (Mankato, MN)

 

Friday, June 26 – 6:35 p.m. 

Pitching: RHP K.J. Hart (2-0, 7.50 ERA) vs. TBA 

Watch: FloSports 

Listen: 93.9FM/1390 AM Granite City Sports Radio 

Saturday, June 27 – 6:35 p.m. 

Pitching: RHP Ethan Felling (2-0, 1.33 ERA) vs. TBA 

Watch: FloSports 

Listen: 93.9FM/1390 AM Granite City Sports Radio 

Follow the Game  

• Follow along to every Northwoods League game on the NWL scoreboard, and get up to the minute information with the Play-by-Play feature.  

• All matchups, home and away, can be streamed on FloSports with a subscription.  

• Every game of the 2026 season can be heard on 93.9FM and 1390AM Granite City Sports Radio, and on the Granite City Sports website. Dylan Budd, Danny Berg, and Riley Klaus call every game from the Eide Chrysler St. Cloud Studios. 

 

St. Cloud vs. Mankato 

• Friday’s game will be the first time the Rox and MoonDogs square off this year. Last year, the two battled in five consecutive games, both to conclude the regular season and begin the playoffs. Mankato won the playoff series in three games.
• The two franchises will duke it out in ten more installments after this June series, all transpiring in the second half. In the last week of the regular season, the two will see a four-game set, with three taking place at Joe Faber Field.
• The MoonDogs are celebrating their 25th anniversary this season.

Recounting Badlands

The Rox just concluded a four-game set with the Badlands Big Sticks, completing the sweep at Joe Faber Field.

On Monday, the Rox outlasted a ninth-inning Sticks rally, 7-6, after entering the frame ahead 9-1. Caden Tarango was awarded the win after hucking four scoreless, no-hit innings in relief. Every Rox player in the starting nine had a base hit.

The next day, four pitchers worked in part to blank Badlands, 8-0. Emerson McKnight, Lucas Harrington, Jacob Imoto, and McCray Jacobs allowed just six hits while striking out nine batters. Nolan Geislinger led the way offensively, going 2-5 with three RBIs.

Wednesday’s contest was another dominant Rox win, this time 11-6 over Badlands. Brock Toney and Tyler Phenow piggybacked on the mound, with Manning West finishing the job and earning the save. Three Rox had multi-hit games, including Tanner Recchio, Aidan Mouton, and Eli Campbell.

The series finale saw the lone Rox loss in the homestand, falling 6-4. After scoring two in the first inning, the Rox began to mount a rally, tagging two more in the eighth. The comeback fell short, though, and Badlands earned their 15th win of the summer.

Playoff Bound

After defeating the Badlands Big Sticks on Wednesday, the St. Cloud Rox officially clinched a spot in the postseason, claiming the best first half record among teams in the Great Plains West. They also hold the 4th best record in the Northwoods League entering this series, only behind the Wausau Woodchucks, La Crosse Loggers, and Madison Mallards. They hold the most overall wins across the Northwoods, with 21.

Geislinger Gets On

Nolan Geislinger leads all Northwoods League players in on-base percentage, with .520. The center fielder is also among the top of the league in runs  (31, 4th), RBI (25, 7th), and walks (34, 3rd). In his last five games, Geislinger averages .313 with seven runs and six more batted in

Hart’s Start

K.J. Hart is slated for his first start with the St. Cloud Rox on Friday. Hart had one start at Northwest Florida State this spring. Within 11 innings, Hart has punched out 13 batters and has two wins to his ledger, coming in his first two appearances.

Campbell Catches Fire

Eli Campbell has been on a tear as of late, batting .357 in his last ten games, .444 in his last five. He is among the top Rox batters in average, with .364. He’s also tallied 12 hits, nine runs, and five stolen bases

Rox against the Northwoods League 

As the first half dwindles, the Rox stand among the top of league in several categories, including: 

• Batting average (.263, 5th)
• Runs (230, 3rd)
• Hits (278, 3rd)
• RBI (194, 5th)
• Walks (220, 2nd)
• Stolen Bases (123, 3rd)
• Fielding percentage (.965, 6th)
• Pitching Wins (21, 1st)
• Earned Run Average (4.66, 8th)
• Strikeouts (300, 6th)

About Faber Field  

Joe Faber Field is located on the westside of St. Cloud in the city’s Municipal Athletic Complex.  The complex features two of the finest baseball fields in the state – Dick Putz Field and Joe Faber Field. Additionally, the complex features Veterans Public Golf Course and two ice arenas, Torrey Arena and Ritsche Arena. The park opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 2,000 people.   

  

Attend a Rox Game 

Fans can visit stcloudrox.com and hover over the drop-down “Tickets” menu on the homepage. Fans can also call 320-240-9798 for ticket information, or can visit the ticket office inside the Municipal Athletic Complex’s ice arena lobby during regular business hours. 

 

Up Next  

The Rox will head back to Joe Faber Field on Sunday for two more games against the Bismarck Larks before the first half concludes. Before the All-Star Break, St. Cloud will head to Badlands for two games, welcome the Larks for two more at home, and then another pair in Mankato before the All-Star Break.