Huskies slip up late as Eau Claire sweeps Duluth

EAU CLAIRE, WIS. – In a game with runs coming far and few in between, one swing of the bat changed the outcome for the Duluth Huskies, going for a series split.

The Duluth Huskies fell to the Eau Claire Express 3-1 at Carson Park on Wednesday night. Eau Claire were 18-0 this season when leading after the eighth inning, taking the lead in the bottom of the seventh.

It was a pure Pitcher’s Duel in the second consecutive game versus Eau Claire and Duluth. The Huskies left 13 runners on base, including leaving the bases loaded in the ninth.

Mason Burns took the bump for the Huskies, earning his third start of the campaign. He pitched a season-best six strikeouts in his last start, and got going early. The Huskies flashed their defensive prowess early, turning a 4-6-3 double play to close a scoreless first inning.

Eau Claire (6-1, 26-16) starter Alec Baker also started strong. The Dallas Baptist product didn’t allow a hit until his second time through the order, when Cam Frederick was able to place a single to right field in the third.

The scores stayed knotted at zeroes until the middle innings. Baker and Burns combined for eight strikeouts through their first four innings, with Burns striking out Jake Sapien to close up the fourth inning.

The Huskies got their best opportunity in the fifth, starting with a leadoff single from debutant Jeremy Keller. Jonathan Vastine and Kristian Campbell extended their on-base streaks to 19 and 17 respectively with a pair of two-out walks, but Duluth left the bases loaded.

Burns continued to shove for the Huskies, however. The right-hander worked around a two-out double by Clay Conn to record a shutout fifth inning, marking five consecutive shutout frames for the rising Junior with three strikeouts in his third start of the season.

Alec Baker made way after throwing six shutout innings, and the Huskies (2-6, 21-20) were able to solve their scoring struggles against the Eau Claire bullpen. Nolan Johnson surrendered a leadoff hit by pitch to JD Rogers, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Frederick, then moved to third on a Vastine single to right.

The Huskies broke the game open on a play from a game of backyard baseball. Vastine was caught stealing at second, but on the throw by Charlie Saum, Rogers was able to score from third base. It was the 28th run scored by Rogers this season, a pivotal one for Duluth.

Eau Claire entered Wednesday night 10-4 in one-run games in 2022, and found a way to emerge back in the bottom of the seventh. A two-out single by Clay Conn extended the inning, and Cadyn Schwabe was able to leave the yard on a three-run home run to give the Express a 3-1 lead.

All-Star reliever Matt Helwig entered for the ninth, giving up just three hits all season in his first 15 appearances. Duluth got back-to-back singles from Keller and Rogers, loading the bases with a Vastine walk.

In an all-star vs all-star matchup, the pitcher emerged victorious. Kristian Campbell struck out swinging, leaving the go-ahead run on base. Nolan Johnson earned a debut win to move to 1-0, and Pat Miner dropped to 3-3. Helwing emerged with his sixth save of the season.

The Huskies return home tomorrow to Wade Stadium for a two-game set with the Mankato MoonDogs. The series is Duluth’s last home series before the All Star Break, first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M.