Express Roll into Town for Back-To-Back Doubleheaders
June 16, 2024 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Duluth Huskies News Release
The Duluth Huskies are back home for a wraparound Sunday-Monday series against the Eau Claire Express; however, the four-game series certainly has some quirks to it. How this weekend will work, and more, is covered in our five things to know and game notes packet (linked above):
WACKY WRAPAROUND WEEKEND AT THE WADE: The Huskies and the Eau Claire Express will see a lot of each other over the next two days, playing doubleheaders on back-to-back games. On Sunday, the teams will finish the game started on Saturday. The teams will pick up with the Huskies out front, 3-0, thanks to MJ Sweeney's three-run home run in the top of the first, in the bottom of the first inning with Eau Claire batting. Despite the game being at Wade Stadium, the Express will be the "home" team, batting in the bottom of each inning. The game will be full nine-inning game. Game two of the doubleheader will take place 20 minutes following the conclusion of game one. However, that game will only be seven innings long. On Monday, the two teams will play in another doubleheader, but because this one is a scheduled day-night doubleheader, both games will be a full nine innings in length.
ROAD WARRIORS: The grueling travel schedule of the Northwoods League has been no issue for the Huskies this season as they have compiled a 7-3 record on the road this season. Take out the 0-2 start to the season, and that's seven (7) of the last 8 road games that have ended in victories for the Huskies. They're still waiting to replicate success similar to that at Wade Stadium as they are just 2-5 at home to begin the season. MJ Sweeney, especially, has enjoyed the road this season. In road games this year, Sweeney has hit all four (4) of his home runs and eight (8) of his 12 RBI on the season.
EYEING THE EXPRESS: Eau Claire enters the game hovering around in a very crowded Great Plains East division, 3.5 back of leading Thunder Bay. However, the Express are trending in the wrong direction at the moment, having dropped five (5) of their last six games played. The pitching staff has been an issue for Eau Claire so far this season. The team ERA is an unsightly 6.85, the third-worst mark in the Northwoods League. Part of their problem is the amount of free passes they issue; their 126 walks are the second-most in the league. The Express have also allowed 18 home runs, the third-most in the league. However, offensively, the Express are equally capable of leaving the yard. They've clubbed 17 home runs so far this summer, the third-most in the Northwoods League, in powering their offense to nearly seven (7) runs per game. The conductor of the offense is Brigs Richartz. The St. Thomas Tommie leads the team with four (4) home runs, 13 RBI and a 1.056 OPS.
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR: Summer ball is always interesting as college players on the same teams head all over the place to continue to get work and reps in. The matchup between the Huskies and the Express will see the reunion of four (4) sets of college teammates: UMD: Ethan Cole (DUL), Gabe Richardson (EC), Henry Wilkinson (EC)
St. Thomas: Joe Vos (DUL), Brigs Richartz (EC)
Texas: Jayden Duplantier (DUL), Cole Selvig (EC)
Hawaii: Myles Standish (DUL), Ethan Thomas (EC), Zacary Tenn (EC). Bronson Rivera (EC)
HOW TO WATCH: Three (3) of the four games will be available, as per usual, on Northwoods League Plus, which is free with an account. Monday night's contest will be available only on ESPN+, which you need a subscription for. In total, 10 Huskies games have been, or will be, on ESPN+ this season, with three (3) of them already occurring.
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Northwoods League Stories from June 16, 2024
- Rafters Surge Back, Defeat Lakeshore 15-8 - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Kingfish Snap 3-Game Win Streak in 10-6 Loss - Kenosha Kingfish
- Huskies Split Doubleheader with Express, Pull Within 1.5 of Division Lead - Duluth Huskies
- Dock Fall to Madison on Father's Day, 16-4 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Kenosha Kingfish Fall to Rockford Rivets in a Thrilling Contest - Rockford Rivets
- Perry Powers Two Long Balls as Rox Cruise in Father's Day Win - St. Cloud Rox
- Larks Can't Complete Miraculous Comeback, Swept by Stingers in 15-12 Loss - Bismarck Larks
- Rafters Complete 7-Run Comeback, Cruise to a 15-8 Victory - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Stingers Sweep Larks After 15-12 Win - Willmar Stingers
- Rocker Rally Falls Short against Leprechauns - Green Bay Rockers
- Spitters Shut out; Split Series with Growlers - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Woodchucks Claim the Frozen North, Sweep Border Cats - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rockers Attempt to Even Series with Leprechauns - Green Bay Rockers
- Express Roll into Town for Back-To-Back Doubleheaders - Duluth Huskies
- Madison Mallards Defeat Fond du Lac Dock Spiders to Complete Perfect Home Stand - Madison Mallards
- Bismarck Pitching Falters Again, Fall 15-9 to Willmar - Bismarck Larks
- Chinooks Extend Win Streak In 9-0 Victory Over Rafters - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Growlers Drop Series Opener to Pit Spitters - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Honkers Beat Waterloo 11-10 in Thriller - Rochester Honkers
- Late Rally for Dock Spiders Falls Short to Madison, 8-6 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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