Eau Claire, WI – Under cloud-covered skies in the Chippewa Valley, the Eau Claire Express defeated the Thunder Bay Border Cats by a final score 8-4. This win pushed the Express from a three-way tie to a two-way tie for first place with the Duluth Huskies.
This game was a close one through and through, but Eau Claire would pull away late and grab the victory, pushing them to a 16-12 record in the Northwoods League second half. The Express offense got rolling in the bottom of the second, thanks to a George Bilecki (Lewis) sacrifice fly to score the games first run. Thunder Bay would answer back quickly, but so would Eau Claire, as a solo blast over the Northwestern Bank sign from Tom Ottto (UW- Milwaukee) would push the Trains back ahead, 2-1. Dylan O’Connell (Western Kentucky) would follow that act in the bottom of the fifth with a 390 foot, two-run moon shot to deep left field to push the Express ahead 4-1. The Border Cats struck back fast thanks to a Jackson Cooke (Pitt) two-run blast, helping tie the game back up at four. Eau Claire broke the game open, as a throwing error on a Colton Wemhoff (Kansas) fielders choice scored two runs, followed by a George Bilecki RBI single helped the Express jump ahead 8-4, and they would not look back. Carl Cano (St. Thomas) closed the game out in the top of ninth, sealing the victory for the Trains.
Zach Diver (Doane) got the start for the Express, throwing six strong innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits, and striking out a batter. Brendan Moody (St. Cloud Tech) started the game for Thunder Bay, throwing four innings, allowing four runs on four hits, and striking out three batters. Daniel Rosado (Lewis) picked up the win for the Trains (1-0), while Bode Gebbink (Missouri Technical) took the loss for the Border Cats (2-2).
The Express look to complete the series sweep and extend their winning streak tomorrow, in an afternoon matinee. First pitch is set for 2:05pm CT back at Carson Park, your home for Express Baseball.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4633/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.