Eau Claire, WI – Tonight’s game was an offensive showdown by both teams, but it was the Express who pulled through late to walk it off in 11 innings, 16-15.
The Express offense got off to a hot start, scoring 5 runs in the first inning. Jake Busson (Iowa Central CC) 3 run blast to left center field to get the offense rolling. The Big Sticks would answer with 8 runs of their own in innings 5 and 6, thanks to timely hits from Dane Jones (LeTourneau) and Troy Berg (Iowa Central CC).
The Express, who were down 10-8 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, took a 2 run lead off a bases clearing double from George Bilecki (Lewis). The Big Sticks returned the favor in the top of the ninth and scored 2 more runs, sending us to extra innings. Down 3 in the bottom of the 11th, the Express rallied once again, and Jake Busson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force the winning run home.
For the pitchers, Luke Wiltrakis (Georgia) picked up the win, after going 5.1 innings in relief, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 9. For Badlands, JD Kirchner (Dakota State) took the loss, after tossing 3.1 innings, allowing 5 earned runs.
The Express look to sweep the series tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm here at Carson Park.
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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world 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, over 350 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, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team 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.
https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/3875/statistics/stats/home/pitching
