Express offense comes to life

And to think, two days ago the Eau Claire Express were struggling to score runs.
Now it seems the Express can’t stop scoring.

Wednesday the dam burst in a big way for previously-offensively-challenged Eau Claire. The Express broke out for 12 runs on 17 hits as they won a 12-7 slugfest against the Waterloo Bucks at Carson Park.

“It was a great feeling today,” said left fielder and leadoff hitter Brooks Pinckard, who was 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs. “It seemed like everybody had a hit or two. Everybody’s starting to come through with hits and I think everybody’s starting to feel really good.”

Almost everyone had a hand in Wednesday’s offensive romp. Kole Calhoun was on base five times, scored four runs, stole two bases and drove in two runs – including a scorched RBI double to the gap in left-center field. Yavapai College (Ariz.) teammate Braden Degamo homered and drove in two runs. David Cales drove in three runs. Joe Bonfe hit the ball hard. And slumping center fielder Robbie Knight had his first two hits of the season.

“We started swinging it good,” Calhoun said. “Hopefully, we can stick with that all year. We’re starting to mesh in the field. Things are looking up right now.”
The offensive tide began to turn late in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Battle Creek and that momentum carried in Wednesday’s win, which pushed the Express (3-3) back to even on the season. Both of those performances came with the speedy Pinckard at the leadoff spot.

Tuesday Pinckard played shortstop and was on base twice. Wednesday he was in left field. On the roster, he’s listed as a pitcher.

“Brooks is a good athlete,” Express manager Dale Varsho said. “He’ll put the ball in play and try to beat things out. He’s so fast. I really am going to use him at every position possible. He’s just so valuable to have in the lineup that I can’t take him out. His speed creates so many problems.”

The Bucks (2-5) stayed within striking distance of the Express for most of the game. But Eau Claire finally seemed to shake free of the visitors in the sixth inning, when Cales smashed a single back up the middle in the sixth inning to score Calhoun and put the Express up 9-6. Two innings later Cales gave the Express firm control of the game by singling in two more runs. Ronnie Olson then added an RBI double to give the Express a 12-6 lead.

The red-hot Eau Claire bats made a winner out of starter Shane Dyer, who at times labored through five innings. Dyer, who could be taken in today’s Major League Baseball first-year player draft, allowed four runs on five hits while walking three.

“We’re really trying to be more aggressive at the plate,” Varsho said. “We just have to keep putting the ball in play. If you had told me before the year we’d have less strikeouts than the other team every game, I’d think we’d be undefeated. It hasn’t gone that way for us. We just haven’t done very well with the bats until tonight and last night. Hopefully, we can continue that.”

Notes
Mankato State right-hander Chris Odegaard will start tonight’s season finale. Odegaard (0-1) started the Express’ season opener against Wisconsin. He allowed three runs on four hits in five innings. Only one of those runs was earned though. Odegaard, who throws in the 90s, struck out 10 but walked five. Waterloo will counter with Villanova right-hander Brian Streilein. … Odegaard is another Express player likely to be taken in the MLB draft, held today and tomorrow. Other potential draft concerns for the Express include Cales, Calhoun, right-hander John Kessick and three right-handed pitchers who have yet to report – UC-Davis’ Brad McAtee, Wayne State’s Anthony Bass and Cal Poly’s D.J. Mauldin. … Wednesday’s attendance was 833 – the third consecutive game the Express have drawn fewer than 1,000 fans. … Bonfe made his first start at third base and made several nice plays. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Bonfe had been used at first base, designated hitter and pitcher in his Express career. Bonfe was 2-for-4 with an RBI in the game. Two of those outs were very hard hit. “Right now Joe Bonfe’s just on fire,” Varsho said. “He’s hitting the ball hard every at-bat. He found some holes tonight.”

- Joe Ziemer