The St. Cloud Rox built a big lead but couldn’t hold on to it in the opening game of their best-of-three playoff series, losing 13-12 to the Willmar Stingers. Games two and three (if necessary) will be played in Willmar.
St. Cloud Rox Baseball
The Rox scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and another in the third to tie the game at 3-3 after three innings. St. Cloud scored three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 9-3 lead.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Rox scored another run in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 10-3 lead.
Dallin Harrison, who allowed just one earned run on five hits and struck out seven batters in six innings, faced disastrous results from the bullpen. Four Rox relievers combined to allow ten runs on five hits and four walks in the next three innings.
The Rox opened the bottom of the ninth inning with three consecutive walks to load the bases. Carter Hanson followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 13-11 and Ben Higdon scored on a wild pitch before a pop out and a strikeout tied the game at 13-12.
The Rox need to win two away games to keep their league title hopes alive, with game two scheduled for Monday night at 6:35 p.m.
The St. Cloud Rox baseball program can be heard season-long on AM 1390 and FM 93.9 Granite City Sports.
