Eau Claire, WI – Mankato’s Grant Hamilton stuck out eight hitters for the fourth straight outing, but it wasn’t enough as the Eau Claire Express pulled out a win on Saturday night at Carson Park, 7-5.

The Eau Claire Express (10-15) headed into the bottom of the eighth inning tied with the Mankato MoonDogs (13-12) 5-5 after Mankato scored two runs in the top of the inning. The Express would score two additional runs thanks to a Daulton Varsho double to make the score 7-5, which would be the final.

Mankato had taken an early lead in the game thanks to five fantastic innings from starter Grant Hamilton (2-0)  who allowed just two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out eight. The game would be Hamilton’s fourth straight appearance where he struck out eight hitters. Hamilton would get the no decision for this game.

Michael Gomez would pick up the win for Eau Claire, his first of the season. Victor Sanchez earned his fourth save of the year.

Mankato will take on the Rochester Honkers on Sunday at 6:05 PM at Franklin Rogers Park for Faith Night.

“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 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 (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website."