Eau Claire, Wis. – The Eau Claire Express (1-2) dropped the first game of a two game set with the La Crosse Loggers (3-0). It was quite the pitchers’ duel at Copeland park as the Loggers won 2-0.
Andrew Dean (Illinois-Springfield) and Mason McMahon were the starters for Eau Claire and La Crosse, respectively, and both pitched beautiful games. Dean went a strong six innings while McMahon and the rest of the Loggers’ pitching staff held the Express scoreless.
Dean began the game by shutting down the Loggers and even picking off Bryce Blaum with a spectacular move in the bottom of the 1st. However, he found trouble in the third inning, allowing two RBI doubles by La Crosse’s Shane McGuire and Ryan Mantle. Jake Harrison (UT-San Antonio) entered in the 7th inning, finishing the game. He did not give up a run and recorded five strikeouts in two innings.
McMahon was outstanding for his La Crosse crew, only giving up one hit in 5.2 innings pitched. That hit, a single by Devon Garcia (Ohio), would be the only Express hit of the night. Eau Claire threatened in the top of the 6th, taking advantage of a Loggers error, but would fail to score. La Crosse’s final line was: 9IP, 1 H, 0 ER, and 11 SO.
The Express open their home schedule at Carson Park tomorrow night, Friday, June 1 versus the La Crosse Loggers. First pitch of the home opener is set at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be followed with a fireworks show.
Season tickets and 5-Game Packs are on sale now. 5-Game Packs include a reserved seat, Express jersey, Express hat, Express mug, and unlimited food and beverage for $70. Click here to purchase your 5-Game Pack online and we will contact you about your seats. You can also call us at (715)839-7788. Jersey sizes will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
###
The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Express as your favorite team.