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Eau Claire Express
Eau Claire Express Hat Logo.png
Information
League Northwoods League (Great Plains East 2019-present)
(North Division 2014-2018)
(South Division 2005-2013)
Location Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Ballpark Carson Park
Year founded 2005
League championships 1 (2010)
Division championships 4 (2007, 2010, 2016, 2019)
Colors Burnt Orange, Black, Light Blue               
Ownership Craig Toycen, The Toycen Baseball Club, LLC
Management Sammi Costello,
Manager Dale Varsho,Vic Cable

The Eau Claire Express is a collegiate summer baseball team. This means college players get to play baseball during the summer. They are part of the Northwoods League. The team plays its home games at Carson Park. This stadium is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

History of the Express

Early Seasons and First Wins (2005-2009)

The Eau Claire Express started playing in 2005. Their first two seasons, 2005 and 2006, were a bit tough. The team had more losses than wins.

But things changed in 2007! The Express won nine of their last ten games. They finished with a great record of 42 wins and 26 losses. This helped them win their first division title ever. They also made it to the Northwoods League playoffs for the first time.

In the 2007 South Division Championship Series, they played against the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Express won this series 2–1. This victory earned them the 2007 South Division Pennant. Next, they faced the St. Cloud River Bats in the League Championship. The River Bats won that series 2-0.

The 2008 season was close for the Express. They missed the playoffs by only 1.5 games. In 2009, the team had another strong year. They won the first half of the NWL South Division. This helped them qualify for the playoffs again. However, they lost to the La Crosse Loggers in the first round.

Championship Glory and New Divisions (2010-2016)

The year 2010 was amazing for the Express! They won the first half of the season with a 22–12 record. They were even ranked as high as #3 nationally for summer college baseball teams. The team kept winning and closed out the season by winning both halves.

Then, they went on to win the Northwoods League Championship! After this big win, www.perfectgame.org ranked the Eau Claire Express as the #1 summer collegiate team in the nation.

In 2014, the Express moved to the North Division. This change happened because new teams joined the NWL. These new teams were in Kenosha, Wisconsin and Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Express returned to the playoffs in 2016. They won the first half of the season. They hosted the Mankato MoonDogs in the first playoff round. Even though they had a tough record against Mankato, they won! This win helped them move forward.

The next night, they played the St. Cloud Rox. The Express won in extra innings! This victory made them the North Division champions. They then played the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters for the NWL Championship. The Rafters had the best record in the league. The Express lost both games in a close series.

Recent Seasons (2017-Present)

In 2017, the Express made it to the playoffs again. However, they lost in the first round to the Mankato Moondogs. They did not qualify for the playoffs in 2018 or 2021.

The team had a good run in 2019. They won the Great Plains East Finals. Then they won the Great Plains Finals. They played in the League Championship but lost in a close five-game series.

In 2020, the team did not play any games. This was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Eau Claire Express had a strong 2022 season. They won the Great Plains East Division (2nd Half). Their record was 42 wins and 26 losses. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Duluth Huskies.

In 2023, the Express were back in the playoffs. They won the first half of the season. They had a tough start, losing their first three games. But they quickly turned things around. They clinched the first half with a big 12-1 win. They were swept by La Crosse in the playoffs.

Season Records

Here's a look at how the Eau Claire Express has done each season:

Season Games Played Wins Losses Playoff Results
2005 68 28 40 Did not qualify
2006 67 29 38 Did not qualify
2007 68 42 26 Won South Division Finals vs. Green Bay Bullfrogs
Lost Championship vs. St. Cloud River Bats
2008 68 33 35 Did not qualify
2009 68 36 32 Lost South Division Finals vs. La Crosse Loggers
2010 70 48 22 Won South Division Finals vs. Wisconsin Woodchucks
Won Championship vs. Rochester Honkers
NORTHWOODS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
2011 70 36 34 Did not qualify
2012 70 26 44 Did not qualify
2013 70 33 37 Did not qualify
2014 72 36 36 Did not qualify
2015 71 29 42 Did not qualify
2016 72 45 27 Won North Division Semi-Finals vs. Mankato Moondogs
Won North Division Finals vs. St. Cloud Rox
Lost League Championship vs. Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
2017 72 39 33 Lost North Division Semi-Finals vs. Mankato Moondogs
2018 71 28 43 Did not qualify
2019 72 40 32 Won Great Plains East Finals vs. Waterloo Bucks
Won Great Plains Finals vs. Willmar Stingers
Lost League Championship vs. Traverse City Pit Spitters
2020 0 0 0 Did not play due to the Covid-19 pandemic
2021 68 27 41 Did not qualify
2022 68 42 26 Lost Great Plains East Finals vs. Duluth Huskies
2023 67 36 31 Lost Great Plains East Finals vs. La Crosse Loggers
2024 70 35 35 Did not qualify

Express Players Who Made it to MLB

Many players from the Eau Claire Express have gone on to play in Major League Baseball (MLB)! Here are some of them:

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