Opening night of the 2015 Northwoods League season did not go as planned for the Eau Claire Express. The Thunder Bay Border Cats got on Express starter Jeremy Mortensen early and often in Tuesday night’s contest, and never looked back winning 7-0 and handing the Express their first loss of the season.
The Border Cats were agressive at the plate last night when they scored five runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded and one away in the first, Grant McKown hit a towering grand slam over the left field scoreboard to knock Express starting pitcher Jeremy Mortensen out of the game.
The Border Cats would add one more run in the third on an RBI single from Eddie Posavec IV, and would add another run in the fourth on another base hit from McKown, this time an RBI a single.
Express long reliever Hayden Krimmer relieved Mortensen admirably pitching 4.2 innings, giving up only two runs, and striking out an impressive eight batters in his Express debut.
Miles Nablo pitched the final three innings of the game for Eau Claire striking out two and allowing no runs on three hits.
The Express mounted a few chances offensively late in the game, but were never able to cash in on any of their chances. Brady Burzynski had the best night at the plate for the Express going 2-3 and reaching once via a walk.
The Express are back in action on Wednesday as they face the Border Cats for the final game of the series at 10:05 AM Central. You can listen to the game for free on Mix 98.1 FM in Eau Claire, on mix98online.com, or via iHeartRadio.