Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express fell behind early but did not waiver, as they mounted a five run comeback en route to a 12-10 walkoff win, completing a sweep of the visiting Waterloo Bucks.
The Express got an early jump in the afternoon matinee, as they took an early 3-0 lead thanks to a Dylan O’Connell (Western Kentucky) three run moonshot deep onto the Carson Park football field. It would be all Waterloo for the next two innings, as a Christian Smith (Illinois- Champaign) hit a two run monster shot to lead an eight run streak for the Bucks that would see them take a five run lead. The Express hung around, chipping away at their deficit, and eventually jumping ahead 10-9 in a monster bottom of the seventh inning. Once again, Ethan Farris (Texas State) continued his incredible hitting streak with a two-run blast to deep left field which helped the Express jump in front by a score of 10-9.
Waterloo would not go away quietly, as they pushed a run across in the top of the ninth inning on a passed ball that would tie the game and send us into extra innings. The Bucks would grab the lead in the top of the 10th, scoring their ghost runner to take an 11-10 lead. It would all be for not, as Dylan O’Connell (Western Kentucky) scored the game winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning on a wild pitch to secure the Express victory. This win now extends Eau Claire’s win streak to four games, the longest of the 2024 season.
Ethan Thomas (Hawaii) started on the mound for Eau Claire, pitching 2.1 innings, allowing six runs on three hits, while striking out three. Calen Higgins (Western Kentucky) picked up the win (1-0), pitching two full innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out a pair of batters. Jack Scrofano (Santa Ana) took the loss (2-2) for Waterloo, after allowing two earned runs and throwing 0.2 innings in todays game.
The Trains have an off day tomorrow, but get back in action on Tuesday in La Crosse for a three game set against the Loggers. First pitch is set for 5:05pm CT at Copeland Park.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4565/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. Now in its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, 360 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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.