Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (14-10, 33-27) could not get a run on the board in the first game of the doubleheader against the Willmar Stingers (12-12, 33-27). After a pitchers’ duel through the first 6 innings, the Stinger got to the Express staff in the late innings as Eau Claire fell 11-0.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap
The Express offense was silent during game one. They had runners in scoring position in the 3rd inning after Cole Cabrera (Cal Poly) reached on an error by the left fielder and got to second base. However, the third out of the inning was quickly made and no run would score.
The other Eau Claire scoring threat came in the 7th inning. David LaManna (Notre Dame) and Zach Gilles (Central Michigan) singled and were followed by a Sam Kohnle (Winona State) walk to load the bases. A flyout in the following at bat ended the inning.
Willmar stung the Express in the top of the 7th. They plated five runs on a grand slam and two doubles. The Stingers added to that lead by scoring one run in the 8th and five more in the 9th to put the score to the final of 11-0.
Craig Colen (Cal Poly) took the loss in the afternoon matchup. Colen was lights out until the 7th inning grand slam. Colen ended the day with 7.0 innings pitched, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and a walk. Adam LaRock (Madison College) entered for an inning, allowing 6 runs on four hits and five walks. Wyatt Stute (Nebraska Wesleyan) pitched the 9th inning and did not allow a hit or run.
Game 2 of this doubleheader against the Stingers is scheduled for a 7:05 first pitch this evening. Join us again during Game 2 of the double-header for Changing Diabetes Night, sponsored by Novo Nordisk!
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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.