Rochester, MN – The Eau Claire Express started rocky with hot middle innings but couldn’t keep the momentum going as they lose game 2 to the Honkers 7-8 in extras.  

Eau Claire Express Postgame Recap:

The Express were off to a rocky start with starting pitcher Garrett Nicholson (Minot University) walking in 3 runs in the bottom of the 1st. Three up three down inning for Trevyn Badger (Minot University) as he came in to pitch for the bottom of the 2nd.  

KC Swords (Eastern Florida State) leads off the top of the 3rd with a single left. Swords would later score the first run for the Express off an RBI ground out from Alex Logelin (Wayne State), and Henry George (Duluth) was able to advance to 3rd base. Up came Alejandro Macario (Nova Southeastern University), who was able to advance to first on an E5 which brought in the 2nd run of the night for the Express scored by George.

Badger returned for his 2nd inning and allowed only one hit. Sam Hunt (Vanderbilt) looked to get things started for the Express in the top of the 4th inning as the team trailed by one. But the Express were unable to put the ball into play. Trevyn Badger in for the bottom of the 4th, was able to strike out two Honkers to end the inning.

Heading to the top of the 5th, Swords led the inning off with a walk and was later than able to find his way home to give the Express their 3rd run of the game. Connor Mackay joins the scoring train as he scores on a single to shortstop by Jarod Wandersee (St. Paul Concordia); the Express take their first lead of the game.

Honkers scored one back to tie the game up in the bottom of the 5th. Badger was able to get the Express out of the inning to take us to the top of the 7th. The Express take the lead back on a single to left from Macario that scored George. Dillon Whittaker (Winona) comes in to pitch at the bottom of the 7th for the Express; Honkers were able to score 2 runs to take the lead back.

Express was able to get the bases loaded with two outs, Derek Baumgartner (Winona) scores on a wild pitch to tie the game. The Express was unable to score in the top of the 9th, but Whittaker was able to keep the Honkers quiet in the bottom of the 9th.

Hunt, the last out in the 9th inning, started on 2nd for the Express in the top of the 10th inning was able to score on a passed ball to give the Express the lead. Honkers were able to tie the game back up and walked it off on a single to right—final score Express 7 and Honkers 8.

Garrett Nicholson (Minot) got his first start of the season for the Express, went 1 inning, and gave up 3 runs on 5 walks and no hits. Trevyn Badger (Minot) came in the bottom of the 2nd and went 5 innings on 2 hits and 1 run scored. Dillon Whittaker (Winona) threw 4 innings for the Express with 5 runs scored on 4 hits.

The Express head to Wilmar, MN tomorrow for 2 games before heading home for their second home game of the season on Friday. The Express return to Carson Park on Friday, June 4th, as they face the Mankato Moondogs for a 2 game series.

The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 27^th season, the Northwoods 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 250 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. 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 Booyah as your favorite team.