Eau Claire, WI – In front of a packed Carson Park, full of Express fans excited to see the 2019 squad, the Eau Claire Express (1-4) turned things around and got on the right track, downing the Duluth Huskies (3-2) by a final score 9-4.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap: The Huskies jumped on the board as soon as they could, scoring two runs in the top of the 1st inning. Their lead did not last long, as the Express came rolling back, adding five runs in the bottom of the 2nd. Garett Lake (Pima CC) reached first on a walk and stole second. Adam Krajewski (St. Thomas) was hit by a pitch and then the two runners scored on a Sam Stonskas 2 RBI double. Connor Laspina (Flagler College) singled and moved Stonskas to third. Troy Beilsmith (Evansville) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Brock Burton (Grand Canyon) had a huge, 3 RBI double, to put the Express in a 5-2 lead. They would not lose that lead for the rest of the game, as Duluth only scored two more runs in the top of the 3rd inning.
Eau Claire added another run during the bottom of the 6th. Sam Kohnle (Winona State) and Krajewski both singled, followed by a Stonskas hit by pitch that yet again loaded the bases. Laspina would drive Kohnle in on a fielder’s choice.
The Express sealed the win in the bottom of the 7th inning. Burton and Nick Lopez (Illinois-Chicago) both singled and Garett Lake drew a base on balls. Newcomer, Boone Montgomery (UT-Arlington) hit a two RBI single. Krajewski followed with a RBI single of his own to put the score to the final of 9-4.
Tim Ewald (Dallas Baptist) started the game on the mound and quickly ran into similar issues as his first start. In 2 innings pitched, Ewald gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on three hits and six walks. Cole LaLonde (Century CC) was electric on the mound in relief. In his four innings, LaLonde struck out 11 of the 15 batters he faced and gave up only one hit and two walks. Nick Alvarado (Illinois-Springfield) entered and earned a three inning save. He did not allow a hit and struck out four.
The Express will travel to Duluth tomorrow morning to take on the Huskies at Wade Stadium in game 2 of this home-and-home series. They will then return back to Eau Claire on Monday, June 3rd to face the La Crosse Loggers. Join us at 6:35 pm for Mystery Monday, where fans can bring an item for Eau Claire’s largest baby shower to receive a discounted food item.
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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.