Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (4-10) lost the second game of the two game set to the Waterloo Bucks (5-8) by a score of 8-5.
Eau Claire’s offense is slowly, but surely starting to heat up. The team compiled 12 hits in tonight’s game. The Express started early, scoring two on a Nate Thimjon (Fresno State) single to left field which would score Cody Milligan (Oklahoma State) and David LaManna (Notre Dame). Another Express run would score in the top of the sixth after Adam LaRock laced an RBI single to right field. The final two runs for Eau Claire would come in the 8th inning. Ryan Bishop hit a leadoff double and scored on a Devon Garcia RBI double. LaRock would follow with an RBI single. The Express would have two on the bases in the top of the ninth but would be shut down by Bucks closer, Matthew Perea. Devon Garcia had a big night, going 3-4 with a double and two runs scored. David LaManna found his way on base four times, collecting 3 walks while finishing 1-2 at the plate.
The solid starting pitching the Express have become accustomed to, faltered tonight. Josh Gaworski (Concordia-St Paul) could only throw four innings before coming out of the game. The junior gave up six runs on five hits and six walks. Phillip Sikes (New Mexico) had a strong outing, coming from the bullpen in the 5th inning. He would finish the game, throwing four innings while giving up two runs, none of which were earned. Sikes would allow three hits, two walks, and record five strikeouts.
The Eau Claire Express will continue on their road trip with two games in Willmar. They return home on Thursday, June 14th for a 6:35 pm first pitch on Teacher Appreciation Night. The game is presented by the Career Development Center and Express T-shirts will be given away to fans (while supplies last)!
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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.