Eau Claire, WI – On the second afternoon matinee of the 2024 season, the Eau Claire Express set a pair of single game records in route to a dominant 19-4 win over the La Crosse Loggers.
The Trains hitters had their way at the plate today, pushing across 19 runs in an offensive clinic. It got started back in the first inning, when a pair of doubles by Brigs Richartz (St. Thomas) and Owen Washburn (Texas Tech) accounted for the first of many runs for Eau Claire. The Express offense fully broke open in the bottom of the third inning, when Richartz (St. Thomas) lead off the inning with a solo shot to right field.
This would would not be the end for the Trains offense, when they exploded for another four runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks to some wild pitches and singles from Richartz (St. Thomas), Washburn (Texas Tech), and Gabe Richardson (Minnesota- Duluth). The Trains kept rolling into the middle frames, where Eau Claire put up another 12 runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. It was a record setting day for the express hitters, as Owen Washburn (Texas Tech) set the single game record for most RBI by an Express hitter (7), while Brigs Richartz (St. Thomas) set the single game record for most runs scored by an Express hitter (5).
With all that offense, Eau Claire got a strong pitching performance by starter Jace Kirby (Western Kentucky), who threw six innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out five. Kirby (Western Kentucky) would pick up the win (2-0), while Michael Debattista (Dodge City CC) took the loss (1-1).
The Express hit the road tomorrow to open a series against the Waterloo Bucks. First pitch is set for 6:35pm CT at Riverfront Stadium.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4240/statistics/stats/home/batting/game
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.