Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (9-8) lost 7-1 in game one of the two game series with the Mankato MoonDogs (10-7). It was a perfect evening for baseball but the Express offense struggled, putting up one run and collecting five hits.
Eau Claire’s lone run came in the 8th inning. Devon Garcia (Ohio) lead off with a double and Adam LaRock (MATC) drove him in during the next at bat with an RBI single. The other three Express hits were a Devon Garcia single, Scott Ogrin (Cal Poly) single, and a Cody Milligan (Oklahoma State) double.
Starter Rece Dietrich (Duluth) took the loss after giving up four runs in 4.1 innings on five hits. The sophomore did not walk a batter and struck out two. Isaiah Davis (Fresno State) entered in the 5th inning and went 1.2 innings. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. Austin George (College of Charleston) came in to pitch the final two innings, allowing a run on two hits and a walk.
Eau Claire will finish the Mankato series on July 22nd before the Northwoods League All-Star Break. The 2018 All-Star game will be played on Tuesday, July 24th and will feature four Express players. Justin Slaten, Phillip Sikes, Spencer Myers, and Scott Ogrin will represent Eau Claire. Ogrin will also participate in this year’s Home Run Derby. The Express return home on Thursday, July 26th for a 6:35 pm first pitch. It’s Big Brothers Big Sisters night presented by EO Johnson Business Technologies with Express t-shirts given away to fans!
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.
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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.