Eau Claire, Wis. –  The Express secured a dominating 17-4 victory over the Rochester Honkers, securing a series victory sweep and clinching a playoff spot Friday night.

The Express stand with a 40-21 overall record, holding a six-game win streak now heading to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

Eau Claire’s dominating victory was stalled in the beginning, due to rainy weather and a wet field; however, the Express was able to get on the board first with two runs in the first inning by Hollon Brock, hitting a double near left field, bringing home CJ Varsho, followed by Brock running home on a Rochester first-base man error.

Rochester responded with two runs of its own in the third inning to tie up the game, but was quickly silenced as the Trains put up four more runs to lead with a 6-2 score.

The four runs were secured with Brock hitting a two-run double, followed by Brock and Matthew Maulik crossing home plate on an Honker second baseman’s error.

A one-run was secured in the fourth inning due to a sacrifice fly, but the fifth inning was the Honkers’ ultimate downfall, as the Express secured five runs, completely silencing Rochester.

The five run dominace started with Ethan Miller crossing home after a balk, followed by a Varsho single to shortstop, bringing home Mikey Muniz. Varsho had his turn coming home following a Maulik double to right field, also bringing home Anthony Martinez. The momentum finished with Maulik crossing home on a sacrifice fly hit by Landon Ubrig.

Still not slowing down anytime soon, the Express put up another four runs in the seventh, starting with Maulik crossing home on a first baseman’s error, followed by Varsho’s single to center field, bringing home Ethan Miller and Muniz. Closing out the inning was Cheong crossing home plate off a Martinez double near left field.

The cherry on top for the Express was a eighth inning home run to left field by Ubrig to finish the score 17-4.

Not only did the Express clinch a playoff spot, but they also broke records as Sawyer Hoffman pitched the 621st strikeout of the season, marking a new franchise record. Hoffman finished the night dishing out nine strikeouts and allowing six hits and three runs during his six innings on the mound.

Leading from the bat was Varsho, who was 4-for-5, securing three RBIs and drawing one walk, alongside an outstanding performance in center field, going 4-for-4 from the field.

Eau Claire will continue its time in Carson Park as the Trains take on the Madison Mallards at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.

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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.