Written By: Cody Shook, Larks Broadcaster
EAU CLAIRE, WI – In the final of four games against the Eau Claire Express, the Larks scored three runs in the top of the 10th inning to take a 3-0 lead and come away with the win. Bennett Wiggins started on the mound and earned the Larks their 8th win of the season to improve to 8-4 on the season.
Both starting pitchers on the mound in Saturday night’s ballgame pitched nine innings without allowing a single run. Wiggins struck out two batters and allowed six hits, but was around the strike zone all night and never allowed any solid contact. He got into his only jam in the 9th inning but was able to work out of it and earn the win on the mound.
Wiggins was lights out for the Larks on a night that they needed it the most. “This is exactly what we expected out of Wiggins,” said Larks Head Coach, Sean Repay. “Wiggings took advantage of a big ballpark and induced a lot of weak ground balls and pop flys.”
The bats were quiet all night until the 10th where Jacob Nesbit got things started with a leadoff walk. Brandon Barna would follow that up by reaching on an error to make it first and second with nobody out. Carson Bartels then bunted back to the pitcher where he tried to make the first out at third base but missed on the throw and sailed it into left field. Two runs scored on the error and Bartels landed on third base. He would later score when Christian Montes would ground out in a fielder’s choice.
“This team has been so resilient all year long,” Repay said. “We are never out of any game and this series showed us that we battle back and we can strike first”. He then said “I like the direction the team is going through 12 games this season.”
Colan Borchers shut the door in the bottom of the 10th inning to earn the save. “I’m impressed with our pitching staff on this road trip,” said Pitching Coach, Brett DeGagne. “They have only allowed one run in our three victories. Our pitchers earned another round of batting practice on the field and they are excited about it.”
The Larks won 3-0 and improve to 8-4 on the season and remain in a tie for first place in the Northwoods League standings. The Larks will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for a scheduled 3:05 first pitch in Bismarck.
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The Bismarck Larks are a proud affiliate of the Northwoods League, the proven leader in development of elite college baseball players. The Larks mission is to use FUN to make a difference in the lives of our families, businesses, players, and communities we serve. This is accomplished with a commitment to putting fans first and providing high quality family entertainment at affordable prices. In 2017, the Larks sold out 27 of their 36 home games in Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field, and were named the Northwoods League’s Organization of the Year.
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com or download the Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
