
Express Win in Walk-Off Fashion
June 23, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Eau Claire Express News Release
Eau Claire, WI - Express pull out the 2-game sweep in the bottom of the 9th, beating the Rochester Honkers 3-2.
This hotly contested pitcher's duel of a game was close all the way throughout. After some tension between the two teams in the bottom of the 5th, Express batter Nate Witte (UW-Eau Claire) stepped up to the plate in the 6th inning and smoked a solo home run to knot the game at 2-2. This is where the game stayed for some time until the bottom of the 9th.
Lance Lauve (Southeastern Louisiana) started for the Express, throwing 4 largely unblemished innings. In the bottom of 4, however, the Honkers hitters had him figured out as they scored both of their two runs of the night and ended his outing.
Michael Trausch (Central Arizona) then came in and worked his magic through 4.2 innings of ball. He pitched phenomenally, giving up just 3 hits on no runs, with 4 strikeouts. Tanner Sagouspe (Cal Poly) was the man who got the win, however, as he was the final pitcher of the ball game, and recorded the last out of Trausch's 9th-inning bid.
Heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, the magic continued for the Express, as leadoff man Rayth Petersen (UIC) cracked a double off the outfield wall. The crowd of over 1100 Eau Claire faithful was on their feet by the time Catcher Cole Conn (UIC) came to the plate. After seeing one pitch, he swung the bat and drove in the winning run of the game. As Petersen slid into home, the Men in Orange flooded the field and celebrated with Conn at 2nd, having completed the team's first walk-off win of the season.
You can catch the Express back in action tomorrow evening at Carson Park, where they will be squaring off against the Duluth Huskies. Gates open at 6:05, and first pitch will come at 7:05 pm CT. Be sure to stop on out and collect your free socks, as a part of a sock giveaway presented by Eau Claire Fitness. Show up and show out fans, you won't want to miss this one!
Northwoods League Stories from June 23, 2023
- Pit Spitters Drop Final Game of Road Trip - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Loggers Break Border Cats' Seven-Game Win Streak, Walk It off 6-5 - La Crosse Loggers
- Rochester Loses Third in a Row, Drops in Standings - Rochester Honkers
- Huskies Use Wade Stadium Magic to Beat Waterloo 6-5 - Duluth Huskies
- Express Win in Walk-Off Fashion - Eau Claire Express
- Mallards Sweep the Division Leaders, Set for Road Trip - Madison Mallards
- Pitchers Duel Works in Stingers Favor, Outlast Rox 2-1 for Series Split - Willmar Stingers
- Lakeshore Ends Their Five-Game Losing Streak with a Win Against Wausau - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Rox Relievers Shine in Game Two Against Willmar - Home-And-Home Series Versus Mankato Starts Tomorrow - St. Cloud Rox
- Rockers Lose Second Straight to Mallards Ahead of Homestand - Green Bay Rockers
- Lakeshore Cruises Past Wausau, Wins 10-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Rockford Rivets Sweep Doubleheader against Kokomo Jackrabbits in Thrilling Fashion - Rockford Rivets
- Rockers Aim to Even Season Series with Mallards - Green Bay Rockers
- Big Inning Leads to Win - Eau Claire Express
- Kingfish Sweep the Doubleheader Against Battle Jacks - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Honkers Fall Out of First After Loss to Eau Claire - Rochester Honkers
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- Express Cannot Hold Lead in 9-7 Loss to Duluth
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