Express score one in ninth, strand two to end the game
In game one of a two game series against the Waterloo Bucks the Eau Claire Express had a chance to make some magic in the ninth inning but failed to score more than one run in a 3-2 loss at Riverfront Stadium on Saturday night.
Down 3-1 in their final at bat, the Express pulled closer with an RBI single from Sam Mrstik to score Tyler Adkison and cut the deficit in half. But Daniel Jipping would strike out with runners on the corners to end the Eau Claire threat and the game entirely.
Shortstop Kyle Marinconz had a two-hit ballgame to lead Eau Claire who amassed just six hits. Teddy Cillis put the first Express run on the board with his second home run of the season in the fourth inning.
CJ Eldred pitched 5.2 innings to earn the loss for the Express. He allowed seven hits and four walks but just two runs, one of them earned. Kale Latorre pitched 2.1 innings of relief and allowed one run on three hits.
The Express look to build off this loss in game two on Sunday against the Bucks. First pitch is set for 3:35 p.m. 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.