Chris Esposito’s high chopper over a drawn-in infield in the 10th inning helped the St. Cloud Rox stay hot with their sixth straight victory. On a Tuesday where the team committed five errors, St. Cloud needed some luck against the La Crosse Loggers. Trailing 4-1 in the seventh inning, a dropped pop up with one out opened the floodgates for three Rox runs, courtesy of four hits and two wild pitches. Nearly 1,400 fans, along with some canine companions, witnessed the third straight series sweep by the Rox. Earlier on a 70-degree evening along the banks of the Sauk River, Trevor Koenig, a senior-to-be at St. Cloud State University, got his third start. Raised in St. Cloud, Koenig is in his third summer with the Rox. Coming off seven scoreless innings last weekend against Eau Claire, the 6'11” southpaw battled for six innings, allowing four runs — two earned — on six hits. By winning yet again, the Rox (16-6) remained in first place in the competitive Great Plains West Division. St. Cloud maintains a slim lead over Bismarck and Mankato with 10 days remaining in the season’s first half. The Loggers, making their first trip to Joe Faber Field since 2018, are now 12-12, good for second place in the Great Plains East. Update: The Rox swept a doubleheader with rival Willmar Wednesday before heading to Bismarck. St. Cloud came from behind late again to claim Game 1 and pounded the Stingers in the nightcap. The Rox have now won 14 of their last 16 contests.
St. Cloud Rox CF Andrew Pinckney delivers a shot to left field in the fifth inning
A.J. Kaufman covers the St. Cloud Rox and the Northwoods League for KACMEDIA.