Eau Claire, WI – Under a cool sky in the Chippewa Valley, the Eau Claire Express rallied behind their best pitching performance of the season to split the series with the Waterloo Bucks, by a final score of 2-1.
Both teams offense were held in check by their opponents pitching staffs, as the game’s first run came in the top of the third inning. After an error, the Waterloo Bucks got on the board due to a wild pitch that brought a run home. That would be it for their hitters, as they were shut down by the Express pitchers tonight. The Trains offense got going in the bottom of the fourth inning after threatening early, as Evan Gustafson (North Dakota State) drove in Ethan Farris (Texas State) after he lead off the frame with a double to the left corner. The Trains would later jump in front as Ethan Farris (Texas State) sent a 342 foot home run over the left field wall to give them a 2-1 lead, which would end as the games final score.
Jace Kirby (Western Kentucky) gave the Express their best pitching start of the 2024 season, going for 7.2 strong innings, only allowing four hits, no earned runs, striking out a pair, and securing the win (3-0). Zach Evenson (Bemidji State) took the loss for Waterloo (0-1), pitching 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and striking out three.
The Express head to Rochester to open a new series heading into the weekend. First pitch is set for 6:35pm CT at Mayo Field.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4464/statistics/stats/visitor/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.