Rox Sweep Two to Gain Teal League Finals

The Ortonville Rox swept two games this past weekend, defeating Appleton 10-0 on a Curt Schake shutout and then beating Rosen 16-6 on Sunday. The two wins put the Rox into the Teal League finals next Saturday at Ortonville against either Canby or Madison. One more win will put the Rox into the region for the third straight year.

The Rox scored all the runs they would need against Appleton when they plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning on three straight walks and then a big two-out, two RBI single by Chris Fellows. The Rox added single runs in the second and fourth to stretch the lead to 4-0. A big 4-run inning followed in the sixth when Zach Giese led off with a single, followed by a Pete Ross double; Riley Sammon promptly hit a three-run homer. John Thomas followed Riley’s blast with a solo home run of his own to extend the lead to 8-0. The locals added single runs in the seventh and eighth to finish off the game.

“Although we hit well, Curt Schake was the story of the game, throwing an eight inning complete game shutout. Curt gave up only three hits for the game,” stated Rox manager Ron Thomas.

Leading hitters on the day were Sammon, Chris Fellows, Giese, and Ross with two each. Thomas, Joe Fuller, and Cory Stattelman each had a hit.

On Sunday the Rox got off to a very good start by scoring six runs in the first and adding two more in the third on a 2-run homer by Riley Sammon. To their credit, Rosen kept battling by scoring single runs in the second and fourth innings, three more in the fifth, and one in the sixth, to close the gap to 8-6 after 5 ½ innings. The Rox had a huge sixth inning, plating eight runs and then holding Rosen scoreless in the top of the seventh to finish the game.

Chris Fellows started on the mound and went 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits. Joe Fuller came in to close the game out, going 1 2/3 innings, giving up no runs on one hit.

Leading hitters for the game were Sammon, Jeff Watson, Chance Haugen, Cory Stattelman, and Zach Giese with two each, while John Thomas, Fuller, and Fellows each added a hit.

The Rox get to play at home next weekend and will play on Saturday at 3:00. If they win they will be in the region tournament. There will also be games at 5:30 and 8:00 on Saturday, with the championship game on Sunday at 2:00.

Please come out and support amateur baseball. These guys play for the love of the game. They deserve your support.

The Rox will be looking for volunteers to take tickets and work in the announcing booth. Anyone willing to help out at the tournament please call Ron Thomas at 320-839-3039.

“We would like to thank all of our sponsors who make it possible for us to host the Teal League tournament,” stated manager Ron Thomas.