Rox Clinch First-Half Championship with Sweep over Huskies

July 3, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release

St. Cloud Rox in a playful mood after clinching the first-half title
(St. Cloud Rox)

Duluth, MN - In the final game of the first half, St. Cloud (24-8) took care of business with a 12-2 win over Duluth (11-21) and clinched the first-half title in the Great Plains West.

The Rox entered Saturday's game with a magic number of one, needing just one win or a Mankato loss to lock up a playoff spot. St. Cloud did its job and locked up the division ahead of a two-day break to end the first half.

As has become typical with the Rox, St. Cloud had one huge inning that put it in complete control of the game early on. In their largest output of the season, the Rox tallied nine runs in the third inning, while sending 13 batters to the plate and took an early 11-0 lead.

Jordan Barth (Augustana) led the way for St. Cloud with three hits, including two doubles on the day. Barth brought in two runs in the third inning and ended up scoring three runs for the Rox in his most explosive outing of the season.

The Rox scoring got started in the first inning as Bobby Goodloe (TCU) continued his hot streak at the plate. After bringing in three runs in Friday night's game, Goodloe singled to center to bring in two runs in the first frame.

Justin Kirby (Kent State) also had three hits and reached base in all six of his plate appearances on the day. Kirby singled three times and also reached first on a walk three times on Saturday.

Hunter Dollander (Georgia-Gwinnett) twirled a gem for his third straight start, allowing just one run in six innings on the mound. Dollander retired the first eleven batters he faced to keep the Rox in control early in the game.

Connor Barison (Washington State) came out and finished the game off in the ninth. Barison retired the side in order to officially clinch the division for the Rox.

St. Cloud will have a spot in the Northwoods League postseason which starts on August 15. The Rox are back in action on Tuesday from Joe Faber Field at 7:05 when they open the second half against the Bismarck Larks.

Images from this story

St. Cloud Rox in a playful mood after clinching the first-half title

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Rox Clinch First-Half Championship with Sweep over Huskies - St. Cloud Rox
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