Express Win Streak Ends, Loses Game 1 to Duluth

July 20, 2024 – Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Eau Claire Express Press Release

Eau Claire, WI – The Eau Claire Express’ winning streak came to an end at Carson Park when they were defeated 13-6 by the Duluth Huskies on Saturday afternoon.

The game began as a pure pitchers’ duel, as starters Matthew Hoskins (Georgia) and Ethan Cole (Minnesota-Duluth) combined for 11 strikeouts in the first three innings of today’s game. The offense would break loose in the top of the fourth inning, as Duluth scored five runs behind a two-run homer from Reagan Reeder (Illinois) to take an early 5-0 lead. The Express would quickly answer, as with two outs the Trains loaded the bases with walks from Brigs Richartz (St. Thomas) and Dylan O’Connell, followed by a Jake Busson (Iowa Central CC) hit by pitch. Evan Gustafson (North Dakota State) would hit a baseball 347 feet over the left-center field fence for a grand slam to bring the Express within one. That would set a single-season record for most grand slams (7) in a single year.

It would all be in vain as Duluth kept their offense going in the later frames, picking up nine more runs en route to 13 total runs for their hitters. The Express would pick up one more as Dylan Knowles (Cal Poly) scored two runs on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning and an RBI groundout in the ninth, but that would be it for Eau Claire as Duluth would close out this game and secure the win.

The Express used a plethora of pitchers today, with a total of six arms in today’s game. Matthew Hoskins (Georgia) got the start, pitched 3.2 innings, allowed three earned runs on no hits, and struck out seven. Ethan Cole (Minnesota-Duluth) got the win for Duluth, as he pitched 3.2 innings, allowed three earned runs on one hit, and struck out four. Rowen Barnes (UC Davis) picked up the win (2-0), while Hoskins took the loss (0-2). There was no save situation in this game.

The Express hope to bounce back tomorrow in Duluth and split the series. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. CT at Wade Stadium on NWL+.

https://scorebook.northwoodsleague.com/update/4497/statistics/stats/home/batting/game

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