Express Drop Game 1 of the Willmar Series
July 30, 2019 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Eau Claire Express News Release
Eau Claire, WI - The Eau Claire Express (14-9, 33-26) dropped game one of the series to the Willmar Stingers (11-12, 33-26) by a final of 5-2. It was a close game until the 7th inning, and the Express could not fight back.
Lakeland University Postgame Recap
The first two innings of the ballgame were silent in a complete pitchers' duel. Willmar was the first to break that battle, scoring an unearned run in the top of the 3rd inning. They would score again on an unearned run in the top of the 5th inning to hold a 2-0 lead.
Eau Claire cut into that score by getting a run on the board in the bottom of the 5th. Cole Cabrera (Cal Poly) slashed a triple to left field and scored in the next at bat on a ground out hit by Brock Burton (Grand Canyon).
The Stingers drove two more in during the top of the 7th inning and went up 4-1. These two runs were the first earned runs of the game for the Stingers and came off two hits and a wild pitch.
Attempting a comeback, the Express scored a run in the bottom of the 8th inning. Burton walked and scored off a double hit by Matt Bottcher (Illinois-Springfield). While Eau Claire continued to threaten in the inning, they could not get any more runs across. Willmar added an insurance run in the top of the 9th to put the score at the final 5-2.
Nick Alvarado (Illinois-Springfield) had a nice start in this evening's ballgame. The junior tossed 6.0 innings and gave up four runs, two being earned. Alvarado struck out eight. Eau Claire native, Zach Gustafson, finished the last three innings of relief and allowed a run on two hits and two walks.
Tomorrow is doubleheader day! The Express and Stingers will play two games on Tuesday, with 1:05 and 7:05 first pitches. Game 1 of our double-header will feature a special discount for area daycare providers. Join us again during Game 2 of the double-header for Changing Diabetes Night, sponsored by Novo Nordisk!
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