EAU CLAIRE, WI – The Willmar Stingers were defeated by the Eau Claire Express, 3-2

The game was a pitching battle with neither team able to pull away. Both teams’ pitchers were impressive as neither team was able to get a lot going.

The Express got on the board early going up 2-0 thanks to a two-run blast from Sam Kuchinski in the bottom of the second. Eau Claire would increase their lead to three runs in the sixth when Joe Yorke would send home Cadyn Schwabe standing at third making the score 3-0.

The Stingers were held scoreless until the top of the eighth when Joey Walls hit a two-run homer to take a chunk out of the Express’s lead. Walls would be named the MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game. He now has four home runs on the year and continues to lead Willmar with 13 extra-base hits.

The Stingers were unable to respond in the top of the ninth, finishing the game 3-2.

Although he had a great outing, Ryan Jares would be given the loss. He pitched six innings, striking out eight while giving up three runs. The win would be given to Eau Claire’s Tyler Ingram in his last appearance for the Express this season. Ingram pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out five while only giving up two hits.

The four-game series continues tomorrow when Eau Claire returns to Bill Taunton Stadium for their second trip to Willmar. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.