Eau Claire – On a beautiful night in the Chippewa Valley, the Express secured their fourth victory of the 2024 season in dramatic fashion, winning 5-4.
It was a pitchers duel early, as both Jace Kirby (Western Kentucky) and Mason Mussler (Embry Riddle) punched out their first 6 batters to start the game. From there the offensive gates opened, as the Big Sticks pushed across a run in the top of the third, when Ty Necoliczak (Concordia) stole home on a designed double steal. Eau Claire returned the favor in the bottom of the fourth from a Dylan O’Connell (Western Kentucky) 2 run blast to left-center field. Badlands battled back, tying the game at 4 heading into the eighth, but it would be the Express who came through late, putting up a game winning run.
Henry Wilkinson (Minnesota- Duluth) who picked up the win for Eau Claire, who threw for 3 innings, only allowing 2 hits, 1 run, and adding 2 strikeouts. Alex James (San Joaquin Delta) took the loss for the Big Sticks.
The Express begin their road trip tomorrow at Thunder Bay, where they will take on the Border Cats in a 2 game series. First pitch is set for 6:35pm EST.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/3892/statistics/stats/home/pitching
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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.
