Home Runs Not Enough as Express fall to Border Cats

Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (8-4, 27-21) could not power themselves over the Thunder Bay Border Cats (2-10, 16-31) despite hitting two home runs in the contest. After going back and forth, the Express fell to the Cats by a final of 5-4.

Lakeland University Postgame Recap:

Eau Claire plated a run in the bottom of the first to go up 1-0. Cole Cabrera (Cal Poly) led off with a walk and stole second base. Matt Bottcher (Illinois-Chicago) advanced Cabrera to third on a sacrifice bunt. Troy Beilsmith (Evansville) hit an RBI single to score Cabrera in the following at bat and put the Express in a 1-0 lead.

Thunder Bay responded in the top of the 4^th inning, putting 2 runs on the board to go up 2-1.

In the bottom of the 5^th inning, Express newcomer, Nick Marinconz (Cal Poly) was warmly welcomed to Eau Claire. The freshman blasted a solo home run over the left field wall to tie the game at 2-2. The Express were not done showing off their power as Beilsmith started the 6^th inning with a solo shot of his own, giving Eau Claire a 3-2 lead.

The top of the 7^th inning would see the Border Cats scoring a run on two hits to tie the game at 3-3. Shortly after, in the Express half of the inning, Zach Gilles (Central Michigan) reached on a fielder’s choice and scored all the way from first base on a Bottcher RBI double. Eau Claire retook a one run lead at 4-3.

The Border Cats would score 2 unanswered runs, one in the 8^th and one in the 9^th, to win 5-4.

Two-year Express pitcher, Craig Colen (Cal Poly), got the start and went 4.0 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk. Colen struck out 5. Peyton Sherlin (Dallas Baptist) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out two batters. Jack Brown (Minnesota-State) took the loss after throwing 3.0 innings and allowing 3 runs on 8 hits.

The Northwoods League All-Star Break is now officially underway. Festivities begin in Waterloo, IA with a banquet on Monday evening. The 2019 Northwoods League Home Run Derby and All Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 16^th. Eau Claire will be represented by Matt Bottcher, Troy Beilsmith, Noah Denoyer, and Brannon Jordan.

The Express will return home on Thursday, July 18^th, for a 6:35 pm game against the La Crosse Loggers. Join us for Thirsty Thursdays! Carson Park will feature $2.50 domestic beer, $3.00 premium, and $2 fountain drinks every Thursday all summer long.

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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.