Rox Offense Explodes Late to Win Third in a Row

June 19, 2021 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release

St. Cloud Rox on the mound
(St. Cloud Rox)

St. Cloud, MN - After not recording a hit in the first four innings, St. Cloud (11-6) erupted for 11 runs and 12 hits in the last four frames to seal an 11-4 win over the Minnesota Mud Puppies (3-8).

The Rox have now won three in a row and nine of their last eleven to propel themselves to the top of the Great Plains West. St. Cloud is currently tied with Mankato for first in the division.

It was a tough start offensively, but the Rox finally broke through in the fifth inning with two runs. Otto Kemp (Point Loma Nazarene) and Jordan Barth (Augustana) each drove in a run to put St. Cloud on the board.

In the sixth and seventh, Caleb Ricketts (San Diego) played a big role in the Rox comeback. Ricketts started the sixth inning with a double and eventually scored to cut into the lead. Then, he drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and St. Cloud would hold on from there.

The offense decided to leave no question about the outcome in the bottom of the eighth, scoring six insurance runs and putting the game away. Cody Kelly (Minnesota) finished it off with a two-RBI double into the left-center gap.

On the mound, R.J. Martinez (Minot State) went five and two-thirds innings as the starter, allowing four runs and striking out nine batters. Martinez had two separate streaks of eight and seven-straight batters retired throughout his outing.

Kevin Davis (USC Upstate) came out of the bullpen and slammed the door with the six-out save. After allowing a leadoff base hit, Davis struck out the last six batters he faced to earn his third save of the season.

For a full box score from tonight's game, click here.

The Rox are in the midst of a six-game homestand and will complete their two-game series with the Mud Puppies on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Joe Faber Field will be at 4:05 pm.

Images from this story

St. Cloud Rox on the mound

Northwoods League Stories from June 19, 2021

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