La Crosse, Wis. – Eau Claire clinches game one, 6-3, of the playoffs against La Crosse Sunday night.

Following a quiet first two innings for the two teams, the Loggers were able to secure the first run of the game in the bottom of the third, taking a 1-0 lead.

The Express quickly responded with two of their own runs, as bases were loaded following a CJ Varsho walk, a Hollon Brock double to left field and Anthony Martinez getting hit by a pitch. Matthew Maulik was up to bat and was also walked, bringing home Varsho from third.

Eau Claire’s second run of the fourth inning was secured following a Jaxon Schumacher groundout, for out number one of the inning, bringing home Brock.

The Express continued their momentum in the fifth inning, putting up four runs to secure their lead, starting with Philip Cheong up to bat and receiving balls before hitting a home run to right field for a 3-1 lead.

Quickly after Brock hit a single to center field, bringing home Cade Palkowski, complemented by a Loggers third baseman’s error, bringing in two runs. 

La Crosse responded late with two runs of their own in the seventh inning, put were not strong enough to overpower the Trains, who finished the game with six runs on seven hits and one error.

The Express looks to take on the Loggers once more at beloved Carson Park for game two of the playoffs, at 6:35 p.m. Monday.

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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.