Eau Claire, WI – In the first game of the doubleheader, the Eau Claire Express took the Duluth Huskies to extra innings, but would fall in defeat by a final score of 11-7.
This was a very back and forth contest, with a total of six different ties and lead changes throughout the mid day contest. The Huskies jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but the Express would begin to battle back in the bottom of the third, when Brady Blake (Kansas) scored on a wild pitch. The Express would tie the game at four in the bottom half of the fourth, when Gabe Richardson (Minnesota- Duluth) scored on a wild pitch, and Brady Reynolds hit a two-RBI single to tie the game at four.
The Trains would remain tied in the middle frames, but it would be the player of the game, Ragan Pinnow, (Augustana) who hit a two-run home run to push the Express ahead 7-5 heading into the eighth. This game would head into extra innings tied at seven, but Eau Claire would ultimately drop this one, after allowing four runs in the top of the 10th inning to seal it for Duluth.
Cole Selvig (Minnesota) got the start for the Express, pitching five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits, while striking out five and walking two batters. Caden Kratz (Western Illinois) picked up the win for the Huskies (2-0), while Easton Pratt (Mankato) took the loss for Eau Claire.
The Express look to get back on track split the doubleheader later tonight. First pitch is set for 6:35pm CT back at Carson Park.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4377/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.