Two home runs, timely hitting lead Eau Claire to victory
Box Score – Virtual Game Day Program
The Eau Claire Express committed 5 errors but countered with 11 runs to top the Waterloo Bucks Tuesday night by a score of 11-3 at Carson Park in the opening game of the series.
Eau Claire stranded 5 runners on base in the first two innings but with runners on first and second base left fielder Joe Gillette broke open the scoring with a an RBI double in the third inning.
“That was huge,” said Express Field Manager Dale Varsho. “Joe has come up with some big hits for us. Not a lot of hits, but big ones for RBIs.”
With 2 outs in the same inning and the bases loaded, center fielder Brady Burzynski hit a blooper into left field which traveled past the Waterloo left fielder for a base clearing double giving the Express a 4-0 lead.
The following inning the Express would open the floodgates as Gillette would launch a 3 run home run over the left field fence and put the Express up by 7.
After a Daulton Varsho sacrifice fly to make it 8-0 at the end of 6 innings, the Bucks would tack on 3 runs to try and climb back into the game. But first baseman Travon Benton would take those 3 runs right back blasting a 3 run shot straight into the Fan Deck in right field.
Michael Gomez entered his first start for the Express with a 10.80 ERA but came up huge tonight pitching 6 scoreless innings while only allowing 3 hits.
“He mixed it up really well, he threw strikes, threw his changeup and curve ball for strikes whenever he wanted, and kept them off balance,” said Varsho. “I thought he did great.”
With the offense collecting 13 hits and 11 walks and the pitching holding the Bucks to 3 runs Varsho still wasn’t impressed with the way they played on defense.
“Still a little lazy at times, doesn’t look like were ready all the time,” said Varsho. “We’ve got to do better than 5 errors, that’s not going to win a whole lot of games.”
Burzynksi finished 3 for 5 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI and Gillette finished 2 for 5 with a double, home run and 4 RBI.
“Struggled a little bit the past two games, it felt good to break out,” said Burzynksi. “We put it all together tonight.”
The Express have one more game tomorrow against the Waterloo Bucks at Carson Park before hitting the road for an 8 day, 7 game road trip. Tomorrow’s game is set for 6:35 p.m and is sponsored by Oakleaf Surgical Hospital. Gates open at 5:30.