Willmar, MN – The Express completed the 2-game series sweep in Willmar Friday night with a 10-inning win over the Stingers 8-7.
Things started off shaky for the Express, as they gave up 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning to the hometown Stingers. A sac fly, double, and single in this inning all scored runners for Willmar.
The Express answered back in the top of the 2nd inning though, with 3 runs of their own. These runs were brought in on a Cole Conn (UIC) single, a Bronson Rivera (Hawaii) triple, and a Rayth Petersen (UIC) RBI groundout.
The Express then added 1 more run in each of the 2 following innings to give themselves the lead.
The two teams traded 1-run innings through much of the late game though, as they went back and forth before Eau Claire eventually knotted things up at 6 runs in the top of the 8th. After 9 innings, the two teams were still tied, so the game went to extras.
Eau Claire capitalized in the top of the 10th, bringing in a clutch 2 runs to put themselves out in front. Their first run came when Cort MacDonald (Stanford) took off for home on a wild pitch in the dirt. Reed Latimer (UAB), who reached on a walk, then scored on a Conn single to the right fielder.
Willmar did not go down without a fight though, as they scored 1 run in the bottom of the 10th, but it was too little too late, as the final out was recorded on a Stinger strikeout.
The Express will continue their road trip with a stop in Waterloo. Saturday night’s game will begin at 6:35 pm CT. Tune into the action on the Northwoods League website, or listen along on the radio at 106.7-FM Moose Country.
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he 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’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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 (NYM), 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 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. 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.
