Eau Claire, WI – On a humid night in the Chippewa Valley, the Eau Claire Express fell apart in the ninth inning, dropping game one to the Rochester Honkers by a final score of 13-9.
The Express offense got off to a strong start, jumping out to an early 3-0 lead thanks to a Reggie Bussey (Ohio State) run on a wild pitch, followed by a two-RBI single from Brady Reynolds (Stanford). Eau Claire would hang on to this lead until the top of the third, when Dom Rodriguez (San Joaquin Delta) hit a three-run home run to tie the ball game. The long ball would carry the Honkers for the middle frames, as they hit four total home runs and jumped out to an 8-3 lead.
The Trains did not waiver in this one, as Davis Rivers (Texas Tech) hit a long solo shot over the short porch to cut the Rochester lead down to four. The Express jumped all over the Honkers in the bottom of the eighth, when Ethan Farris (Texas State) hit a towering 380 foot grand slam as part of a five run inning to jump ahead 9-8 heading into the ninth.
However, the wheels fell off in the top of the ninth inning, when Eau Claire gave up a five run inning to fall behind 13-9 heading into the final frame. The Express would threaten late with a base runner, but it was not enough, as Rochester hung on to seal the win.
Jace Kirby (Western Kentucky) got the start for Eau Claire, pitching 5 innings, allowing 6 runs on 4 hits and getting no decision. Tracen Cameron (Florida International) took the loss for the Trains (1-2), while Matthew Lighthall (South Mountain CC) picked up the win (1-0).
The Express look to secure the series split tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 6:35pm CT at Carson Park.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4350/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.