Rox Win Wild Independence Day Shootout in Duluth

(KNSI) – The Rox crushed the Huskies bullpen in Duluth on Tuesday, coming from behind for a 23-18 win in 11 innings.

The Independence Day showdown featured plenty of fireworks. The squads combined for 35 hits and 32 walks, not to mention the 41 runs. Rox center fielder John Nett reached base six times and had four RBI. Nett also plays at St. Cloud State University where he has been named to the all-conference team twice. He was the Rox Player of the Year in 2022.

St. Cloud mashed two home runs in the game, one apiece for DH Jackson Hauge and right fielder Matt Goetzmann. The Rox had to rally late to tie it. Goetzmann’s three-run blast came with two outs in the ninth. It followed an attempted sacrifice fly by Hauge to right field, which led to Brady Prewitt being thrown out at the plate.

Both teams scored twice in the 10th inning. The Rox pushed across 10 runs in the eleventh and held on as the Huskies notched five of their own before the last out was recorded.

Sartell’s Tyler Hemmesch started for St. Cloud and was exceptional. He pitched four scoreless innings, striking out seven. Hemmesch has now struck out 10 in just six innings of Northwoods League work.

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