By: Riley Klaus

August 2, 2026

ST. CLOUD, MN – The St. Cloud Rox (39-24) defeated the Badlands Big Sticks (29-35) 16-3 on Sunday to sweep the series. The Rox will conclude the homestand on Monday against the Mankato MoonDogs at 6:35 PM.

With two runners on base in the bottom of the first inning, Colton Rother (University of Kansas) smashed the ball over the right-field wall for his first home run of the season, giving St. Cloud a 3-0 lead.

The Rox scored another three runs in the fourth inning, starting with an RBI double from Jackson Legg (Georgia Gwinnett College). Moments later, Rother ripped the ball again for an RBI triple, his second hit of the day. Owen Estabrook (Columbia University) brought in the third run with an RBI single for his second hit of the game to make the score 6-2 in favor of the Rox.

In the fifth, St. Cloud brought every member of the batting order to the plate and scored five runs. The highlight was Rother bringing in another two runs on a single, leaving him just a double shy of the cycle. The Rox left the inning up 12-2 after a Luke Haney (University of the Pacific) RBI single.

Hunter Poe (McMurry University) finished his start on the mound after seven innings, allowing just two runs from Badlands.

Estabrook added a solo home run in the seventh before the offense rolled again in the eighth. Three additional runs scored, wrapping up with a Jackson Akin (University of Minnesota) RBI single to give St. Cloud the 16-3 advantage.

The Rox victory completed a sweep of the Badlands Big Sticks in the series ahead of four straight games against the Mankato MoonDogs

The All-Star Trophy and Awards Star of the Game is Colton Rother.

The Rox close the three-game homestand on Monday, August 3rd, at 6:35 PM against the Mankato MoonDogs for Bark In The Park, presented by Companions Animal Hospital. Bring your K-9 friend to the ballpark to help support the Tri-County Humane Society. (Enter through the 1st base gate with dogs.) The Rox will wear special jerseys for the night that will have selected dog photos on the jersey.

The 2026 season is presented by Eide Chrysler St. Cloud.