Express fall in ninth

In a hard fought game the Eau Claire Express ran out of gas at the last second to drop game two of a two game series to the Mankato MoonDogs 5-4 on Friday night at Franklin Rogers Park.

After scoring three runs in the third inning and taking an early lead, the MoonDogs climbed their way back scoring runs in the fourth, seventh and eighth innings to take an eventual 4-3 lead into the ninth inning.

Kyle Marinconz started at shortstop and smoked an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to tie up the game at 4-4 and hopefully send the Express to extra innings.

However Ryan Schlosser would only record one out in the ninth inning as he gave up an RBI single to Mankato catcher Kaden Moore that would give the MoonDogs a walk-off victory.

Marinconz would end up with two hits on the evening in five at bats. Teddy Cillis started in right field and went 2-3 before being taken out of the game. Second basemen Sam Hurt earned two hits and a run while third baseman Daulton Varsho earned a triple and an RBI.

Doug Still allowed 8 hits and two runs in his start on the mound for the Express.

The Express now head off to Waterloo to take on the Bucks at 7:05 p.m. the next two nights. The Express return home to Carson Park next Tuesday for a five game homestand. That game is sponsored by Novo Nordisk and there will be a sunscreen, sport bottle, and jump rope giveaway.