Express edge out Huskies; Hunt adds 3 RBIs

EAU CLAIRE, Wisconsin — The Duluth Huskies ventured away from the confines of Wade Stadium for the first time in the second half of the Northwoods League season. A win was not in the cards for the Huskies as Eau Claire provided a complete defensive performance.

The scoring got started in the bottom of the second inning for the Express with a 2-RBI double off the bat of Sam Hunt. A sacrifice fly from Max Coupe one batter later extended the lead to 3-0 after two innings.

After a lengthy weather delay, both sides suited back up to finish off the final three innings of play.

Runs were hard to come by and did not occur until the home half of the eighth. Hunt provided another RBI hit to score Sam Kuchinski to put the score at 4-0.

Vanderbilt product Jonathan Vastine found the lone run-scoring play on the night for the visiting Huskies. Vastine slapped a double down the left-field line to score Kristian Campbell in the top of the ninth in a comeback effort.

Duluth sent the game-tying run to the plate but could not convert on the scoresheet. The Express held on to get the win by a final score of 4-1.

Duluth starter Isaac Rohde provided five innings of work, conceding three runs on seven hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. The Clarke University southpaw received the loss in the game to push his record to 1-2 overall on the campaign.

Eau Claire’s lead man on the mound Jared Lessman earned his first decision of the season. He picked up the win after an impressive five frames of three-hit ball and no runs allowed. He racked up eight punchouts and five free passes.

Hunter Rosenbaum got the save for the Express after recording nine outs to clinch his second save of the year.

The loss sends the Huskies to 2-5 (21-19). Eau Claire advances to 6-1 (25-16) with the victory.

The Express and Huskies conclude their two-game series at Carson Park Wednesday night. The first pitch is slated for 6:35 pm CT.