Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (9-9) lost 2-1 to the Mankato MoonDogs (11-7) in the afternoon game at Franklin Rogers Park. The pitching staff from both Eau Claire and Mankato battled throughout the game, but the MoonDogs found a way to score two and the Express could not rally back.
Manny Castellano (Cumberlands) got the start for the Express. The senior received the loss after going five innings, giving up two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two. Reagan MacDonald (Dallas Baptist) came from the bullpen in the 6th inning and pitched two scoreless, allowing one hit and three walks. The tall lefty struck out five. Zach Grech (Stanford) tossed a scoreless bottom of the 8th.
The Express run came in the 4th inning. Scott Ogrin (Cal Poly) hit a double and advanced to third base on a sac bunt by David LaManna (Notre Dame). Ogrin later scored on an error by the Mankato third baseman. Spencer Myers (Notre Dame) and Nick Brueser (Stanford) were the other two Express with hits, both singles.
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. Call us at (715)839-7788 to purchase your 5-Game Pack. 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.