Rox Start Second Half with Sweep of Stingers to Clinch Season Series

July 7, 2022 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
St. Cloud Rox News Release

Brice Matthews of the St. Cloud Rox in action
(St. Cloud Rox)

Willmar, MN - St. Cloud (27-8) knocked off Willmar (21-15), 9-3, on Thursday to finish off a sweep and clinch the season series with the Stingers.

Brice Matthews (Nebraska) stretched his hitting streak out to ten games with another sensational performance. Matthews hit his fourth home run of the week and tallied two more doubles to finish the two-game series with seven hits in eight at-bats.

The Rox offense got started in the third inning with a grand slam off the bat of Charlie Condon (Georgia). The Rox never looked back after taking the 4-1 lead on Condon's fifth home run of the season. Condon now leads the Great Plains division with 36 RBI's this season.

Ethan Mann (New Mexico State) also had a strong day at the plate, coming up with two hits, each bringing in a run. Mann's big knocks helped the Rox stretch out the lead through the middle of the contest.

Only two pitchers saw the bump on Thursday after Joe Battaglia (Southern) went six innings on the mound and allowed no earned runs on just four hits and four strikeouts. Battaglia has allowed two or less runs in all five of his starts, posting a 1.93 ERA this season.

Jonathan Martinez (Texas State) closed the game with three innings late in the game. Martinez gave up just one run on one hit in the final frames to lock up the series sweep over Willmar.

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

St. Cloud continues its five-game road trip on Friday with the first of two games against the Honkers. First pitch from Rochester is scheduled for 6:35 pm. The Rox return to Joe Faber Field on Tuesday to start a series with La Crosse. First pitch at the Rock Pile is scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Images from this story

Brice Matthews of the St. Cloud Rox in action

Northwoods League Stories from July 7, 2022

Stingers Drop Game Two against the Rox, 9-3 - Willmar Stingers
Rox Start Second Half with Sweep of Stingers to Clinch Season Series - St. Cloud Rox
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Battle Creek Bats Unable to Heat up as Lakeshore Completes the Sweep - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
Growlers Split Home-Stand with Thrilling Win - Kalamazoo Growlers
Rockers Aim to Split Series in Madison - Green Bay Rockers
Loggers Walk It Off; Edge Out Bucks, 3-2 - La Crosse Loggers
Honkers Kick off Second Half with Dominant Win - Rochester Honkers
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