Eau Claire, WI – The typically explosive offense from the Eau Claire Express (12-8, 31-25) wavered against the Waterloo Bucks (8-12, 28-28). Even though the Express scored early, they could not find a groove and fell to the Bucks by a final of 7-2.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap
The Express were up early, scoring one run in the bottom of the 1st. Cole Cabrera (Cal Poly) was hit by a pitch. He stole second base, advanced to third on a single hit by Brock Burton (Grand Canyon), and scored on an error by the Bucks shortstop.
The second and final Eau Claire run came in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Sam Kohnle (Winona State) reached on an error committed by Waterloo’s shortstop. Sam Stonskas (Blackhawk CC) singled to advance Kohnle to second. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base and Kohnle scored on an error by the Bucks catcher on a throw down to second.
That was all the Express offense could muster. Waterloo started up in the 4th inning, scoring two runs and following with a one run 5th inning. After three scoreless innings, the Bucks opened up the game by adding 4 runs in the top of the 9th to make it a 7-2 ballgame.
Colt Mink (Flagler College) took the loss after going 5.0 innings and giving up three runs on 6 hits while striking out 6. Newcomer, Wyatt Stute (Nebraska Wesleyan), tossed a scoreless 6th inning. Brandon Dieter (Stanford) entered for two innings of relief. This was the shortstop’s first pitching appearance of the 2019 season, and he impressed. Dieter allowed just one hit and struck out 4. Tim Ewald (Dallas Baptist) came in for the 9th inning and gave up four runs on three walks and a hit.
Eau Claire continues the homestand tomorrow, Saturday the 27th, for a 6:35 pm first pitch. Join the Express and honor our local first responders on Local Heroes Night! Also, come on out for your chance to win a prepaid funeral!
###
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.