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Lakeland University Postgame Recap: The Eau Claire Express (9-11) split a doubleheader Saturday night against the Duluth Huskies (8-12). The Huskies came away with the game 1 victory, winning 5-4 in extra innings. Striking back, the Express defeated the Huskies 7-6 in game 2.
Game 1
The Express opening scoring in the bottom of the 1st inning. Spencer Myers (Notre Dame) walked and advanced to third on Matt Bottcher’s (UIC) single. Phillip Sikes (Pima CC) drove Myers in on an RBI single.
Two more runs would come in for Eau Claire in the 2nd inning. David LaManna (Notre Dame) and Sam Kohnle (Winona State) both singled to start the inning. LaManna advanced to third base and Kohnle to second on an error by Duluth’s right fielder. LaManna scored on Garett Lake’s (Pima CC) RBI single. Kohnle crossed home after Troy Beilsmith was hit by a pitch and make the score 3-3.
Eau Claire’s final run came in the bottom half of the 5th. Myers walked and advanced to third on Bottcher’s single. Sikes would hit a fielder’s choice that plated Myers.
Duluth added one run in the top of the 6th to tie the game at 4-4. Then, heading into the 8th inning, the Huskies had a runner on second base to start the extra inning because the game was scheduled to be 7 innings. That runner came around to score and ended the game at 5-4.
Alec Baker (Dallas Baptist) started for the Express and went 4.0 solid innings, giving up two runs on five hits and two walks. Ethan Swanson (Cowley CC) entered in relief for 2.0 innings, also giving up runs. The sophomore gave up three hits and issued two walks while striking out two. Nick Herold (Winona State) took the game 1 loss, giving up the single run in the top of the 8th inning.
Game 2
The Express would strike back in the second game, defeating the Huskies in extra inning, walk off fashion.
Duluth jumped out first in after an early pitcher’s duel in game two, scoring one in the top of the 3rd inning. The Express would quickly respond, scoring two in their half. Myers singled and was followed by a Brock Burton (Grand Canyon) walk. After advancing on a wild pitch, Matt Bottcher slashed a 2 RBI double to score both base runners.
Not done yet, the Huskies came roaring back, plating four runs in the top of the 4th inning to lead 5-4. After an inning of no scoring, the Express tied the game 5-5 in the bottom of the 6th. Myers singled and stole second. He moved to third on a groundout by Burton. Bottcher hit a sacrifice fly to the left fielder that Myers hustled home on. With the score at 5-5, we would head to extra innings for a second time.
Both teams would take advantage of the new extra inning rule. Duluth score one run in the top of the 8th to go up 6-5. Sam Stonskas (Blackhawk CC) started on second base and moved to third on a passed ball. Connor Laspina (Flagler College) put the ball into play and reached on an error by the Duluth shortstop. Spencer Myers was intentionally walked to follow. Brock Burton walked to load the bases. With the bases loaded and no outs, Matt Bottcher came to the plate. He would draw the walk, making it an RBI walk off walk. The Express were victorious, winning 7-6.
Tanner Kohlhepp (Tennessee) began the game on the mound and went 3.2 innings. He cruised through the first three but struggled in the 4th. The Eau Claire native finished the day giving up five runs on three hits and four balls. Phillip Sikes (Pima CC) entered the game and was absolutely dominant. Sikes threw 4.1 innings and allowed only one hit, giving up an unearned run, and struck out five.
The Eau Claire Express travels to La Crosse on Sunday afternoon for game one of a home-and-home series against the Loggers. They return to Carson Park on Monday, June 17th for a 6:35 pm game against the Loggers. Join us for Mystery Monday and keep a close eye on our social media where we will be giving out clues on how to earn discounted tickets, prizes, and free food!
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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.
