Top Ten Moments Countdown #1: Salters Hits a Walk-off Home Run in a Come-From-Behind Victory for the Express over the Rox
There are few things in sports more exciting than a game-winning play. The overtime goal in hockey, the buzzer beater in basketball, the Hail Mary in football, and of course, the walk-off home run in baseball are all examples of some of the most exciting plays that fans can see and players can experience.
Express fans were treated to a walk-off homerun of epic proportions on June 20th, 2014 as Daniel Salters hit a blast for the ages at Carson Park which propelled the Express to a come-from-behind, walk-off, 6-4 victory over the St. Cloud Rox. This home run is the number one moment of the 2014 Express Season!
The game started with an offensive barrage from the Rox, beginning with a solo home run from Kade Scivicque and an RBI single from Charles Galiano to put the Rox up 2-0 after the second inning. The Rox extended their lead with a Mitchell Kranson solo home run in the top of the fourth to make it 3-0.
The Express answered back in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run single from Peter Van Gansen scoring Mike Barajas and Brent Gibbs.
After the Rox added a run in the top of the eighth to cement a 4-2 lead over the Express, Drew Turbin provided the offensive spark the Express needed with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth. Turbin’s homer was the first home run hit by an Express player at Carson Park during the 2014 season, and fortunately for the Express it inspired the rest of the team to go after the long ball.
Watch the Turbin Solo Home Run Here
With the Rox leading 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Express needed to quickly mount a comeback. The inning started with a bang when, with a 2-2 count, Jack Zoellner lived up to his name and jacked a Kevin Burgee fastball out of the park to tie the ball game at four.
Watch the Jack Zoellner Game-Tying Home Run Here
Then, with two outs and a man (Mike Porcaro) on first, Daniel Salters came to the plate. The 6’3” 225-pound sophomore from Dallas Baptist stepped into the box looking to do one thing: hit a walk-off home run.
On the first pitch of the at-bat, Salters swung for the fences and fouled off the pitch. Salters took one more pitch, collected himself, and with a 1-1 count hit a moon shot to right-center field that cleared the fence and the pine trees, landing in the middle of the tennis courts beyond the Carson Park baseball field boundaries. Salters touched ‘em all with a huge smile on his face and was met at home plate by all his teammates cheering in triumphant celebration of the team’s victory.
“We walked them off and that was a blast,” said Salters. “I have been a part of some walk off hits but that ranks up there as one of the best. A great win in front of a great crowd.”
Watch the Daniel Salters Walk-Off Home Run Here
The 2,379 fans who came to the game that night witnessed the number one moment of the 2014 Express season. Congratulations to Daniel Salters, Jack Zoellner, Drew Turbin, and all the Express players who contributed to a memorable victory at Carson Park in 2014!
Thank you for following the Top Ten Moments of the 2014 Express Season Countdown. Make sure you head out to Carson Park in 2015 for more memorable moments, entertaining promotions, and great NWL baseball action all summer long.
The Express begin their 11th season of play in the Northwoods League on May 26th, 2015 as they take on the Border Cats in Thunder Bay. Eau Claire’s home opener is scheduled for May 28th versus the Duluth Huskies. First pitch of that contest will be at 6:35 PM. Season tickets and voucher packs are on sale now and single-game tickets will go on sale May 1st. For more information, go to eauclaireexpress.com or call 715-839-7788.