Rochester, MN. — Top ninth inning strikeout, ends Eau Claire’s time in Rochester, MN, with a 2-1 loss against the Rochester Honkers, Thursday night.
Eau Claire Express Postgame Recap:
Following a dominating 9-3 win against the Honkers on Wednesday, the Eau Claire Express faced a Rochester team that shook off its opening season jitters as the Honkers earned their first victory of the season, 2-1.
With a slow first inning, the Honkers put themselves on the board first with an earned run from Seth Thompson, a freshman from Creighton University, as he crossed home plate after a single base hit by Brady Errecart.
As slow back-and-forth innings were presented, Express pitcher Mason Walker kept his composure on the mound throughout the tough battles against 28 batters, securing eight strikeouts. With Imarion Stanberry substituted in and secured his own two strikeouts.
The Express did not make their offensive comeback until the sixth inning, where CJ Varsho was walked, with Adam Wall coming in as pinch runner and earned a score unearned following a Hollon Brock single to right field.
Despite tying the game, the Honkers came back and earned their own run to take the lead again at the end of the sixth inning.
Still holding on hope, the Express and Honkers went another two innings scoreless until the top of the ninth with bases loaded and Landon Ubrig at the bat with a full count. Despite the determination in all the players’ eyes, the Express faced a strikeout, granting the Honkers their first win of the season.
Despite the loss, the Express ended their evening with a total of six hits, one RBI, one double and seven walks.
Eau Claire will head back on the road to Ontario, Canada, as they face the Thunder Bay Border Cats at 7:05 p.m. EST, 6:05 p.m. CT Friday.
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The Eau Claire Express is 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. Having completed its 27th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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 250 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 (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB Gold Glove finalist and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play and set the Booyah as your favorite team.
