Bismarck, ND–What started as a fantastic beginning to the 2019 Northwoods League Season, shifted the opposite direction for a tough opening game as the Eau Claire Express (0-1) fell to the Bismarck Larks (1-0) by a final score of 15-2.
The two Express runs came on a 2-RBI single from Adam Krajewski (St. Thomas) during the top of the 3rd inning. Krajewski would finish 1-1 on the day with 3 walks. Nick Lopez (Illinois-Chicago) was the only Express with a multi-hit night, as he singled in the 1st and 5th innings.
Eau Claire’s pitching started with Tim Ewald (Dallas Baptist) but quickly called on Jack Brown (Minnesota-State) to begin the 2nd inning after Ewald hit his pitcher per inning limit. Despite giving up four runs in the first two innings, the Express held the Larks hitless until the bottom of the 5th inning. Rece Finck (Illinois-Springfield) entered in the 7th inning in relief of Brown. Finck would continue to work until running into trouble in the bottom of the 8th. The ten runs scored in the 8th inning sealed the victory for the Larks. Matt Verdun (Lewis) secured the last two outs of the inning.
The Express will continue their trip in Bismarck with game two of the four game set tomorrow night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark. Eau Claire will return home to Carson Park on Saturday, June 1st at 7:05. Join us for a magnetic schedule giveaway, Strike Out Stroke, and post-game fireworks! Tickets are available online and by calling the Express at 715-839-7788.
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The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 25-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 200 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 (MIA). 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.