By: Riley Klaus

August 3, 2026

ST. CLOUD, MN – The St. Cloud Rox (40-24) defeated the Mankato MoonDogs (32-33) 14-5 on Monday and clinched home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The victory clinched the best regular season win percentage in the Great Plains West, which means the Rox have home-field advantage in a best of three series to open the postseason. The first playoff game at Joe Faber Field will be on Monday, August 10th, and you can purchase playoff tickets here.

After Mankato scored two runs to open the game, the Rox offense immediately responded with three of their own. With the game tied at two apiece, Carter Jorissen (Cal State Bakersfield) drove in a run with a single to give St. Cloud the 3-2 lead.

Tanner Recchio (University of Minnesota) hit a single in the bottom of the fourth, and stole two bases before making his way home to extend the advantage to two. Recchio ended the day with four stolen bases.

Emerson McKnight (University of Kansas) made his seventh start of the season on the mound for the Rox, and locked down Mankato’s offense for five innings. McKnight had at least two strikeouts in every inning he pitched, ending the day with 11. McKnight struck out seven straight from the third through fifth inning, and struck out the bottom four in the Mankato order all eight times they went against him.

Aidan Mouton (University of Kansas) brought in a run with a double in the bottom of the sixth, and the offense added another three in the seventh inning.

With a chance to add insurance in the bottom of the eighth, the Rox offense burst for six runs. Mouton brought in two with a single to make the score 14-5. In the process, the Rox reached 495 runs scored on the season, setting a new franchise single-season record.

The All-Star Trophy and Awards Star of the Game is Emerson McKnight.

The Rox travel to Mankato on Tuesday, August 4th, to face the MoonDogs on the road at 6:35 PM before returning home to host Mankato on Wednesday, August 5th, at 6:35 PM. The game will be presented by St. Cloud Subaru, and there will be a Kickball Giveaway for the first 300 kids at Joe Faber Field.

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