August 9, 2026
WILLMAR, MN – The St. Cloud Rox (43-27) defeated the Willmar Stingers (37-34) 7-3 in game one of the first round of the playoffs. The Rox return to Joe Faber Field on Monday, August 10th, at 6:35 PM for game two in the best-of-three series, and you can purchase playoff tickets here.
The Rox struck the scoreboard twice in the opening frame with a sacrifice fly from Colton Rother (University of Kansas) and a groundout from Brett Griffiths (Ball State University) to take a 2-0 lead.
The top of the third inning was almost an exact mirror of the first inning, with the first three in the order getting on base for Rother to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. Moments after, an RBI single from Griffiths extended the lead to 4-0.
Emerson McKnight (University of Kansas) started on the mound for the Rox and delivered five complete innings. McKnight ended the day with seven strikeouts after striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth.
The Rox added another two runs in the top of the seventh, courtesy of Rother and Griffiths once again. Rother claimed an RBI single and Griffiths brought home Rother on an RBI double to bring the lead back up to four at 6-2.
Tanner Recchio (University of Minnesota) raced home on a fielder’s choice in the top of the ninth to add an insurance run, and with the help of his defense, JR Tollett (University of Louisiana-Lafayette) closed the game in the bottom of the ninth to secure the 7-3 road victory in game one.
With the victory, the Rox head back home to Joe Faber Field on Monday, August 10th, at 6:35 PM, standing one win away from heading to the Great Plains Championship game.
The All-Star Trophy and Awards Star of the Game is Brett Griffiths.
The 2026 season is presented by Eide Chrysler St. Cloud.
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