Waterloo, Wis. – An extra inning sparks momentum for the Trains as they head back home with a 6-3 win over the Waterloo Bucks and clutch series victory Thursday night.
Eau Claire Express Postgame Recap:
Following a 6-3 victory over the Waterloo Bucks the day before, the Trains wanted to finish what they started with an early lead of two runs in the second inning to sustain their momentum
Philip Cheong was the first Train to cross home plate after Sawyer Stein hit a single to right field, bringing home Cheong. Right after, Sean Cody hit a single to center field, bringing home Jaxon Schumacher, who had hit a double to left field to get on base.
After a silent third inning, the Express continued their momentum, earning themselves another run with Cade Palkowski hitting a single to center field to bring home Schumacher once more for a 3-0 lead.
Clearly having enough, the Bucks responded with two earned runs of their own after MJ Sweeney hit a double to right field to bring home Mitchell Iliff and Dane Most, resulting in only a one-run deficit for Waterloo.
The bats went silent for the following innings, due to the Express pitchers holding their own on the mound with Bryce Ehr starting for the Trains and dishing out six strikeouts, one walk and two hits in his five innings pitched. Coming in for a substitution was Mike Erspamer, who secured his own five strikeouts, two walks and three hits while on the mound.
Waterloo tied the score in the sixth inning after Most hit a single to left field, bringing home George Baker V for a 3-3 tie.
The Express and Bucks stayed silent for the following innings, making the two teams play a 10th inning in Waterfront Stadium.
Clearly playing with a goal and a strategy to secure another win, the Express started their 10th inning momentum with an Anthony Martinez single to left field to bring home Palkowski. Keeping it going and filling up the bases, Schumacher was walked, bringing home Jake Busson.
Hollon Brock came in as a pitch hitter and hit a single to right field, bringing home Martinez and securing the last earned run of the night with a 6-3 lead.
Jackson Niederwerder headed to the mound for the bottom of the 10th inning to control the Bucks’ bats and finished the night with a series victory. The first out was a putout to left field, followed by an infield fly putout by the Express shortstop, then finally Niederwerder struck out Most, for out number three and claimed a series victory over the Waterloo Bucks.
Following the series victory, the Express will head home to Carson Park to take on the La Crosse Loggers at 6:35 p.m. 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.
