Matthews Strikes out 9 Batters, Rox Comeback Falls Short

July 3, 2018 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release

St. Cloud Rox pitcher John Matthews
(St. Cloud Rox)

Bismarck, ND - John Matthews (Kent State) pitched seven shutout innings and struck out nine batters but St. Cloud (16-20) fell by a final score of 3-0 to the Bismarck Larks (25-11). The lone RBI of the game for the Rox was credited to Ryan Weisenberg (Georgetown), when he drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning.

There weren't many scoring opportunities for either team in the game. For Bismarck, they stranded a runner at third base three separate times. It was the work of Matthews who helped the Rox get out of those situations. He finished the game with nine strikeouts, no walks allowed, and one earned run.

After Bismarck pushed across three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, St. Cloud responded. Gus Steiger (South Dakota State) led off the inning with a base hit to left field. He later advanced to second base as Ryland Kerr (Eastern Kentucky) got on base due to fielder's choice. Bobby Seymour (Wake Forest) then reached base on an error from Bismarck's second baseman, which loaded the bases. Weisenberg drew a walk to cut the deficit to two runs, but the Rox comeback would end there.

The other pitcher used in the game for the Rox was Erik Martinez (UC-Berkeley), who came in out of the bullpen in the eighth inning.

St. Cloud will begin the second half of the season tomorrow in Duluth, with a 3:05 first pitch time at Wade Stadium. It'll be the second series of the year between the two teams.

The Rox will be back at home on Thursday, July 5 as the team continues to celebrate Independence Day. The Rox will wear their military appreciation jerseys one last time. There will be post game fireworks.

The Rox are in their seventh season of Northwoods League Baseball in 2018. Single game and group tickets for the entire season are on sale now. For more information on purchasing tickets, visit the Rox Ticket Office on the west end of the Municipal Athletic Complex, call 320-240-9798 or visit www.stcloudrox.com.

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St. Cloud Rox pitcher John Matthews

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