Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express (1-0) had a big offensive night, providing fireworks of their own on Independence Day. They started the second half of the season on the right track with a 13-6 victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats (0-1).
In the 2nd inning, David LaManna (Notre Dame) got hit by a pitch to reach 1st base and was followed by a Cody Milligan (Oklahoma State) walk. Noah Sifrit (Oklahoma State) drove in LaManna on an RBI single. Drew Hmielewski (Minnesota) hit a big, 2 RBI double, scoring Milligan and Sifrit. Hmielewski crossed home on a Spencer Myers (Notre Dame) RBI single the next at bat. The Express scored one in the 3rd inning, with Andrew Pratt (Lubbock Christian) running in on a wild pitch.
The 4th inning was also very kind to Eau Claire. Jimmy Glowenke (Dallas Baptist) hit an RBI single, scoring Drew Hmielewski and advancing Spencer Myers to third. Scott Ogrin (Cal Poly) would once again show off his power to the home crowd, blasting a three run shot over the left field wall. He leads the team with five home runs on the season.
Two runs were added in the bottom of the fifth inning off of RBI singles from both Drew Hmielewski and Spencer Myers. Myers earned Express Player of the Night honors when he hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 7th, driving in Jimmy Glowenke, and would later score on an error by the Border Cats’ first baseman.
Justin Revels (Illinois Springfield) got the start for the Express, going four innings and giving up five runs on six hits. The junior recorded six strikeouts. Zach Grech (Stanford) had a spectacular outing and earned himself the win, throwing three innings in relief. Grech did not allow a run and held Thunder Bay to two hits. Drew Hmielewski moved from right field to the pitcher’s mound for one inning of work, giving up one run on one hit and one walk. Manny Castellano (Cumberlands) tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
Eau Claire is home again tomorrow evening against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. First pitch is slated for 6:35 pm. It is Express T-shirt giveaway night and the game is sponsored by Logistics Health.
Season tickets and 5-Game Packs are on sale now. 5-Game Packs include a reserved seat, Express jersey, Express hat, Express mug, and unlimited food and beverage for $70. Click here to purchase your 5-Game Pack online and we will contact you about your seats. You can also call us at (715)839-7788. Jersey sizes will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
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The Eau Claire Express are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). 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 on Google Play and set the Express as your favorite team.
