Evan Popalis, @evan_popalis
Express wear down Huskies; Finish season 8-0 versus Duluth
DULUTH, Minn — For the final time in the regular season, the Duluth Huskies did battle against the Eau Claire Express. Eau Claire found victory versus the Huskies, 8-1, to complete the head-to-head series sweep.
The Express (21-9, 40-24) grabbed a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI groundout. Peter Brookshaw brought home Caydn Schwabe to give the Express a 1-0 advantage.
The Huskies (13-17, 32-31) answered the call in the bottom of the second. Cam Frederick provided an RBI sacrifice bunt to score Eddie Satisky to even the score at 1-1.
A one-out RBI double in the third by Schwabe sent the Express back on top, 2-1. Two batters later, a Trevor Haskins run-scoring groundout propelled the visiting squad ahead by a pair of runs.
The Express scored in four consecutive frames starting in the top of the fifth. Following the top of the eighth inning, the scoreboard resonated an 8-1 advantage for Eau Claire.
The Huskies were retired in order over the final two innings to finish off the Express victory, 8-1.
Caleb Gallant (0-3) got the start but received the loss for Duluth. Gallant pitched four-plus innings, conceding four runs on three hits accompanied by five walks and two strikeouts. Eau Claire starter JJ Pease (4-1) earned the win after tossing five frames of one-run baseball. Pease allowed three hits and racked up three strikeouts and a walk.
The Huskies welcome the La Crosse Loggers to Wade Stadium for a two-game set starting Wednesday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm CT.
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The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Huskies as your favorite team.
