Box Score
Virtual Game Day Program
Eau Claire, Wis.— The Express dropped to 5-4 on the season with a 3-1 loss against the St. Cloud Rox. Rox starter Jake Stevenson was outstanding on the mound, allowing just one hit and zero runs to the Express in six innings. Ripken Reyes had the lone RBI for the Express on a sacrifice fly to score Daniel Herrera and added a single in the bottom of the ninth.
The Rox tagged Express starter Ryan Hamilton early in the game, loading the bases with two singles and a walk. Denis Karas popped a fly ball into foul territory, but Rudy Rott made an excellent sliding catch to retire the hitter. However, lead off man TJ Friedl slid safely into home after tagging up on the fly out. The Rox would add another run in the second, when Brendan Illies hit a sacrifice fly to score left fielder Mason Mamarella who reached on a walk.
The Express had an opportunity to end Stevenson’s shut out in the bottom of the third after the Express loaded the bases on three consecutive walks. However, Stevenson forced a ground out that turned into a double play and a flyout to get out of the jam and preserve his no hit bid through three innings.
In the fourth inning, the Rox hit their third sacrifice fly of the night to extend the lead to 3-0 after a Mamarella advanced to third on a Brendan Benson double. Illies earned his second RBI on the deep fly ball to center field.
Bryce Hensley saw his first action for the Express this year, entering the game for Hamilton in the sixth inning. Hamilton allowed three runs on six hits in five innings pitched, while striking out four Rox hitters. Hensley had a strong outing from the bullpen, holding the Rox without a run in two innings pitched.
Zach Ashford broke up Stevenson’s no-hitter on an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning with no outs. In need of a runner in scoring, Ashford attempted to steal second but was thrown out by Rox catcher Luke Ringhofer.
Stevenson completed the sixth inning, but was relieved by right-hander Chris Martin in the bottom of the seventh. Stevenson threw 88 pitches, allowing just one hit and zero runs to the Express. He struck out four batters and earned the win.
Martin found himself in a tough situation with the bases loaded with one out. Reyes tallied his first RBI of the season on a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Herrera to put the Express on the board. Martin recovered quickly, striking out Cal Klipstein-Smith to end the inning.
The Express mounted a rally when Daulton Varsho hit a double down the third base line, advancing McDonald to third. A Rott walk loaded the bases, but a wild pitch took a friendly bounce for the Rox and Ringhofer was able to throw to pitcher Collin Strall who tagged McDonald at the plate. Strall induced a ground ball to end the inning without any damage to the Rox lead.
Strall continued his night on the mound, earning a save by sealing the 3-1 victory for the Rox. Hamilton was awarded his second loss of the season and Stevenson got the win.
The bases were loaded for Express hitters three times in the game, but only one run was produced by an offense that struggled to find a rhythm against the strong Rox pitching staff.
The Express will face the Rox tomorrow night at 6:35p.m. at Carson Park, hoping to bounce back at the plate and even the two-game series. Aaron Shortridge will make his second start of the season after a solid five-inning victory where the right-hander from California allowed just one run and struck out three batters. Following the game, the Express will head out on a six game road trip to Mankato and Duluth, MN, as well as Thunder Bay in Ontario, Canada.
Season tickets, 5-Game Packs, and single-game tickets are on sale now for Express home games. The all-new 5-Game Pack includes a reserved ticket along with food and beverage for three innings for five of the biggest promotional nights of the 2016 season all for only $45.00. All tickets can be purchased by calling the Express office at 715-839-7788 or by stopping at the downtown office at 102 E. Grand Ave.
The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 150 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.eauclaireexpress.com.
