Northwoods St. Cloud Rox

Rox Back in First Place; 4-3 Edge over Honkers

Published on August 11, 2016 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release


Rox Back in First Place; 4-3 Edge over Honkers
Rox Back in First Place; 4-3 Edge over Honkers
(St. Cloud Rox)

Rochester, MN - The St. Cloud Rox (45-22) are back in first place in the second half North Division Standings tied with Mankato with 4 games remaining in the regular season. St. Cloud snuck past Rochester, 4-3, on Wednesday after another challenging ball game. The first round of the playoffs for the Rox is on Monday, August 15th and it is yet to be determined if this will be a home game at Joe Faber Field. If St. Cloud wins the second half of the North Division, the team would host a first round playoff game.

Another test. Another close game. In the 8th inning, with the score tied 3-3, Mason Mamarella (Kent State) tomahawked a ball on the ground that spring boarded high in the air on the infield in which he beat out for a base hit. Moments later, Mamarella took off for second base and then advanced to third on a throwing error by Rochester's catcher. Brett Pope (Western Carolina) came up clutch with an RBI double down the left field line to score Mason. This proved to be the game-winning run. Pope finished the game with 3 hits, 2 RBI, and was on base 4 times.

Rox reliever Collin Strall (LSU) faced troubled waters in the bottom of the 8th inning, but managed to swim back to shore. The righty absorbed a double and hit a batter. With one out and runners at second and third, Strall retired the next two batters he faced to end the inning unharmed. The All-Star also struck out the side in the bottom of the 9th to close the deal and earn the victory. Strall earned the victory, not the save, because he entered the game, tied 3-3.

This game was tied, 1-1, after 4 innings. Brendan Illies (UNC) doubled down the left field line and that scored two runs. St. Cloud grabbed a 3-1 lead. Illies finished with two hits on the night.

Rox starting pitcher Dan Metzdorf (Boston College) maneuvered through 6 innings with just 3 hits and one run allowed. It is the 5th straight start Metzdorf has lasted at least 6 innings on the mound.

Despite the victory, the Rox left a season high 16 runners on base and at least one in every inning except the 9th frame. St. Cloud has stranded 50 runners on base in their last 4 games. On the bright side, the defense for the Rox was exceptional in the two-game series with zero errors.

The final two regular season home games for the Rox are Thursday and Friday of this week (August 11th & 12th). On Thursday, The Rox will celebrate Turn Back the Clock Night presented by Capital One by honoring the former minor league team with special throwback jerseys, and giving away Throwback Prints for the first 400 fans. On Friday, it will be fan appreciation night for the final regular season home game! Both of these games start at 7:05 p.m against the Madison Mallards. RHP Doug Van Dyke (University of Dubuque) will start for the Rox on the mound Thursday.

Single game tickets can be purchased 24 hours a day at www.stcloudrox.com, by calling (320) 240-9798 or by visiting the Rox ticket office located at the Municipal Athletic Complex.

The St. Cloud Times Player(s) of the Game is Brett Pope. Pope was on base 4 times with 3 hits and drove in the go-ahead game winning run in the 8th inning.

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Rox Back in First Place; 4-3 Edge over Honkers
Rox Back in First Place; 4-3 Edge over Honkers
   



Northwoods League Stories from August 11, 2016


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