The Larks dropped their 4th straight in an extra-inning matchup against the Eau Claire Express, 8-4 on Host Family Appreciation Night. Sunday’s game was presented by RJR Maintenence and Management.

Bismarck struck first with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning from DH Garrett Macias (CSU San Bernardino). Macias added another hit in his second at-bat and finished 2-for-4 with 2 walks. 

Larks starting pitcher Austin Luther (Wittenburg), who finished with 3 strikeouts in five innings on the mound, was cruising along without allowing a run till the fourth inning. A close play at third on a throw from Larks centerfielder Luke Glascoe (UC-San Diego) went the Express’ way, which extended the inning allowing Joe Yorke (Cal Poly) to drive in two with a single.

An Aaron Mann (Drury) sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth gave the Larks the lead back — until Yorke drove in two more with another single to tie the game up at 4. 

Eau Claire threatened to take the lead multiple times in the final innings, just to be shut down by Larks pitching. 2022 Northwoods League All-Star Edwin Colon (NW Oklahoma St.) entered in a non-save situation in the top of the 8th with runners on second and third. Colon struck out Trevor Haskins (Stanford) to strand the two Express. 

The Larks looked to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth on a Tommy Takayoshi (Pierce College) single, but baserunning haunted Bismarck and ended the rally.

The Express threatened again in the 9th and after a Sam Kuchinski (Montevallo) single Jackson Beaman (Missouri) threw out Reed Latimer (Montevallo) at third to keep him from scoring, the Fetzer Electric Play of the Game.

Colon would end up loading the bases after Beaman’s throw, but worked out of it to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

Ryan Curran (Montevallo) earned the Metro Area Ambulance Fastest Pitch when he hit 88 mph in the 10th inning.

After the Larks came up short in their half, Eau Claire score four runs in their half of the 10th to take a lead. Bismarck came up short in the bottom, and lost their fourth straight game.

Bismarck falls to 1-3 in the second half, while Eau Claire improved to 5-0. 

The Larks are back in action tomorrow night for the series finale against the Express at 6:35 PM for Mix and Match Monday, presented by MOJO and Big Rig. You can catch the game on the exclusive streaming partner of the Northwoods League, ESPN+.