Duluth, MN- The Eau Claire Express (1-5) traveled north to Duluth, MN to face the Duluth Huskies (4-2) at Wade Stadium. The Express looked to continue their success from last night’s victory but fell 11-5 to split the series.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap: Duluth got things started in the bottom of the 1st inning. Three Huskies would come around to score on three hits, one walk, and one Express error.
Eau Claire was hot on their tails, responding to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the 2nd inning. Sam Kohnle (Winona State) reached on an error and Adam Krajewski (St. Thomas) walked. Sam Stonskas (Blackhawk CC) singled to load the bases. The bases would clear on an error by the Huskies third baseman, allowing Avery Lehman (St. Thomas) to reach first base. Lehman would come in to score on an error by Duluth’s right fielder. The fifth and final Express run would come in the following 3rd inning. Reid Bass (Cumberland) singled and scored on another error by Duluth’s third baseman. This would make the score 5-3 in favor of Eau Claire.
Duluth would have two big innings, the 4th and 7th, to take the lead and secure the win. The Huskies scored three runs and took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the 4th on three hits. Walks and hit by pitches proved costly for the Express when Duluth scored 5 runs in the second frame of the 7th inning. This would bring the score to the final of 11-5, Duluth.
Graham Laubscher (St. Thomas) started on the mound for the Express and tossed 6 innings, giving up four earned runs with six total. Laubscher surrendered seven hits and three walks while striking out six. Kuster Kinlecheenie (Montevallo) entered for just 0.1 IP. He allowed 5 runs on two hits, one walk, three wild pitches, and four hit batters. Noah Denoyer (San Joaquin Delta) finished the last 1.2 innings on the mound. He held the Huskies both scoreless and hitless during that time and earned two strikeouts.
The Express 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.