Express break out against Bombers

That’s what the Eau Claire Express had been looking for.
Finally, some hard-hit balls.
First it was a ringing RBI double off the bat of Kyle Holloway. Then two batters later a lined, run-scoring single from Erik Knutson.
Granted, those eighth-inning runs didn’t decide the game. But they turned a slim, two-run lead into a more comfortable four-run margin as the Express beat the Battle Creek Bombers, 4-0, on Tuesday at Carson Park.
Those two RBIs also gave a big boost to an offense that’s been struggling early in the Northwoods League season.
“It felt very good,” said Holloway, who was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. “I’ve been struggling myself a little bit, so it felt good to get that hit.”
Knutson was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run for Eau Claire (2-3), which entered the game hitting just .150. Tuesday the Express had eight hits and finally squared up some pitches.
“You always worry when you’re struggling but when you’re doing good, it all flows,” Holloway said.
Prior to the eighth, the Express had used some small ball to scratch out two runs in support of starter Robbie Kilcrease, who tossed seven shutout innings.
Ronnie Olson led off the bottom of the fifth inning by spraying an opposite-field single to left. He moved to second on Joe Bonfe’s sacrifice bunt, took third on a balk by the Bombers’ Jesse Hernandez and scored on D.J. Anderson’s groundout to the right side of the infield.
Then in the seventh Knutson started things with a single that took a high hop over the head of third baseman Evan Sharpley. An errant pickoff attempt by Hernandez put Knutson at second, and Olson’s groundout to second moved him to third. Knutson then scored on a sharp single to left by Bonfe.
“I think we played really well tonight,” Express manager Dale Varsho said. “Robbie Kilcrease did awesome. He threw strikes, got ahead, his changeup was phenomenal.”
As it turned out, two runs were about all Kilcrease needed – though the offense-starved Express weren’t complaining about extra runs. Kilcrease, a left-hander from Texas Tech, didn’t allow a run on six hits. He struck out six and walked two. Used as a reliever by the Red Raiders, Kilcrease is still in the process of being stretched out as a starter. Tuesday was a pretty good first step.
“I felt good,” Kilcrease said. “I had good defense behind me. They made a lot of plays for me. I’m pretty excited.”
Willie Beard pitched the final two innings to earn his first save. Beard did not give up a run or a hit. He walked two and struck out two.
“Willie’s been really good,” Varsho said. “He’s got a really good curveball. He throws strikes. In his two appearances, he’s done a really good job for us.”

Notes
Right-hander Shane Dyer, who started Thursday’s suspended season opener, will take the mound tonight against Waterloo. … Battle Creek second baseman Colin Kaline is the grandson of Hall of Famer Al Kaline. Kaline had nine assists in Monday’s game and another seven Tuesday. … Bombers third baseman Evan Sharpley made two starts at quarterback for Notre Dame last season. … Trax the Express mascot won the mascot race Tuesday – against a child – for what is believed to be the first time in four seasons. … Tuesday’s attendance of 790 was the smallest in franchise history. … Eau Claire right fielder Kole Calhoun made a nice diving catch of a sinking fly ball in shallow right in the top of the seventh. … Holloway became the first Express player this season to record a three-hit game.

- Joe Ziemer