EAU CLAIRE (PRESS RELEASE)- The Wisconsin Woodchucks (14-8, 32-25) let an early lead slip away at Carson Park Monday night as the Eau Claire Express (18-5, 40-17) defeated them 8-3. The loss was the Woodchucks' 1st to Eau Claire in 3 chances in the 2nd half.
The Express scored first when Josh Scheffert doubled off Woodchuck starter Brock Stassi (2-2) for a 1-0 lead after 1 inning. The Woodchucks rallied back in the 3rd when Eric Fritz drew a leadoff walk and scored on Rob Lind's double off the very top of the wall in center field. With a 1-1 tie score, Pat Terry smoked a 1-0 pitch to left field for his 3rd home run of the season and a 3-1 Woodchucks lead. Terry has 5 RBI in his last two ballgames.
Stassi couldn't hold down the Express as his control struggles cost him in the bottom of the inning. Ty Forney hit a leadoff single before Stassi allowed a walk and hit two batters, forcing in a run for a 3-2 ballgame. After getting a lineout double play, Stassi left a pitch over the plate to Nate Baumann, and Baumann deposited it behind the wall in left for a 3-run homer and a 5-3 Express lead.
Starter Dietrich Enns (3-1) calmed down with his second lead and pitched 3 more shutout innings before he gave way to Scott Mariner who allowed just one hit and one walk in 3 innings pitched, earning his 2nd save of the year. Meanwhile, the Express added 3 more runs in the 7th off Jon Moscot and Ryan Iverson, including a home run on the second pitch Iverson delivered this season, to stretch their lead to the final score of 8-3.
The Woodchucks get another crack at the first place Express tomorrow night in another contest at Carson Park. The game will begin at 6:35 and can be heard on Fox Sports 1390 AM.
Courtesy: Wisconsin Woodchucks
