Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (14-11, 33-28) fumbled in game two of the doubleheader against the Willmar Stingers (13-12, 35-26). Although the offense was a bit more alive than in game one, pitching continued to struggle as the Express fell 7-3.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap
It was Eau Claire’s turn to score first in the ballgame as they plated a run in the bottom of the 1st. Cole Cabrera (Cal Poly) walked and advanced to second base on Matt Bottcher’s (Illinois-Chicago) sacrifice bunt. David LaManna (Notre Dame) followed with a single to move Cabrera to third. Cabrera scored on a groundout hit to the third baseman by Nick Marinconz (Cal Poly).
Willmar took control of the ballgame after the 1st inning. They tied the game at 1-1 in the 2nd inning and then scored four runs in the 4th on five walks, a hit batter, and an error. Willmar went up 6-1 in the top of the 5th after the Stingers hit a solo home run.
Eau Claire attempted a comeback in the 7th inning as two runs scored. Bottcher walked and LaManna singled. Marinconz slashed an RBI double to the wall that drove in Bottcher. LaManna came in on a Zach Gilles (Central Michigan) RBI single.
The Stingers added an insurance run in the top the 9th inning on two hits. This put the score to the final of 7-3.
Tim Ewald (Dallas Baptist) started game 2 and could only go 3.0 innings and gave up 5 runs, 4 being earned. Newcomer and Eau Claire native, Paul Petit (Minnesota-Duluth) tossed 5.0 innings of one run ball. Jonathan Worley (Stanford) allowed a run in the 9th inning on two hits.
Eau Claire finishes the homestand tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 31st. Joins us for a 6:35 pm first pitch on Turn Back the Clock Night! The Eau Claire Express transforms into the Eau Claire Bears for one night only. Show up early for a chance get a Mini Burleigh Grimes Bobblehead, sponsored by RCU!
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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.