Rox Display Impressive Eighth Frame in Season Opening Loss
June 1, 2016 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release
St. Cloud Rox Pitcher Austin Caspersen
(St. Cloud Rox)
Waterloo, IA - Soggy and wet conditions rolled through the area and forced the Rox season opener to start after a one hour and ten minute rain delay at Riverfront Stadium. Despite only mustering three hits through the first seven innings, St. Cloud exploded in the eighth frame with four runs on five hits. This rally just came up short in the end as St. Cloud (0-1) fell to Waterloo (1-0) 7-4 following the long rain delay.
The eighth inning brought excitement for St. Cloud. LHP Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State-Mankato) and 1B Austin LaDoux (Grand Valley State University) delivered two RBI doubles in the left and right center gaps respectively. This was part of a stretch of five consecutive hits to begin the eighth frame.
Waterloo got the bats started first in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single from Blake Alexander (Dallas Baptist) to score Daniel Perry. Tyler Curtis (Lynn University) recorded an RBI double to centerfield and that extended the lead for Waterloo at 2-0 after three innings.
The offense continued in the fifth inning in large part to a couple of miscues from the Rox. After a St. Cloud double play, LHP Aaron Rozek (Minnesota State-Mankato) plunked C Adam McGinnis (Western Illinois) and that led to a mini spark for the Bucks. McGuinnis advanced to second base on a past ball and then came around to score following an RBI single from Colin Kreiter (Kirkwood CC). Waterloo led 4-0 after five innings.
Rox starting pitcher Austin Caspersen (St. Cloud State) stepped on the gas pedal in the second inning after a rough first. The right-hander registered three strikeouts in the frame. Despite taking the loss, Caspersen finished his night with four innings of work, six hits, two runs, and four strikeouts. Those four strikeouts tied his career high for the most strikeouts he has had in a Northwoods League game.
St. Cloud leadoff hitter Shelby Lackey (University of the Pacific) was also a bright spot in the batting order. The centerfielder (normally pitcher) reached base all four times he came to bat (three singles, hit-by-pitch).
The pitching for Waterloo helped propel them to victory and especially starter RHP Jared Crescentini (Missouri Baptist). Crescentini tossed six scoreless innings and only surrendered three hits en route to earning the victory.
The Rox (0-1) are back in action and have a chance to rebound Wednesday night at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo, IA. RHP Austin Dubsky (Murray State) will start for St. Cloud. Meanwhile, Waterloo (1-0) counters with LHP Patrick Boyle (Missouri Baptist). First pitch is at 7:05pm CT on 1390AM or 1390thefan.com. The Rox Solid Pregame Warmup begins 30 minutes prior at 6:35pm CT!
Tonight's St. Cloud Times Player of the Game is Shelby Lackey (University of the Pacific). For more coverage of the Rox during the 2016 season visit www.sctimes.com.
Images from this story
 St. Cloud Rox Pitcher Austin Caspersen |
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