Green Bay, Wis. – The Green Bay Bullfrogs (0-2, 18-18) lost a hard fought game to the Eau Claire Express (2-0, 24-12) by a score of 3-2 in 11 innings. The Bullfrogs had their chances to score but left 10 runners on base.

 

Green Bay started a rally in the bottom of the second inning. Troy Scott (Washington) singled to right after a 10 pitch at bat. Joe Betcher (Illinois-Chicago) was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base for the Frogs. Scott and Betcher would be left on base after Beau Fraser (Portland) grounded out to end the inning.

 

The Frogs had another opportunity to score in the bottom of the third inning. Jared Andreoli (Western Kentucky) singled past a diving third baseman to start the inning off. Collin Kuhn (Arkansas) moved Andreoli to second on a sacrifice bunt. Brad Zapenas (Boston College) came up to bat and walked on four straight pitches to put runners on first and second with one out. The Bullfrogs threat would end with a pop out to first and a strike out.

 

Troy Scott started the fourth inning off with a bang, doubling off the right center field wall. Betcher came up to the plate, and pulled off a successful hit-and-run to put runners on the corners. Fraser struck out for the second out of the inning; but Betcher stole third to put two runners in scoring position. The inning would end with a base running miscue, as Betcher was picked off second base by the catcher.

 

The Bullfrogs finally broke onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning. Andreoli led off the inning with a bunt single to third. The Express looked to have Andreoli picked off of first, but he beat the throw to second base for a stolen base. Andreoli would advance to third and later scored on wild pitches to put the Frogs ahead 1-0.

 

Green Bay looked to be adding to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Troy Scott singled to right field to start the inning. He then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brad Schreiber (Purdue). Troy Scott stole third base when Betcher was at the plate. Betcher would later ground out to third base for the second out of the inning. Scott would be left on third after Fraser flew out to left to end the inning.

 

The Express did not threaten until the top of the eighth inning. The Bullfrogs would retire the first two of Eau Claire’s batters before they would start a rally. Andrew Leonard (UIC) singled to center and advanced to third on a single by Logan Vick (Baylor). Ty Forney (Yavapai) doubled home Leonard. Nathan Orf (UIC) singled home Vick to put the Express up 2-1.

 

The Bullfrogs had a threat going in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Fraser doubled down the left field line to put the tying run on second base. Andreoli singled up the middle to score Riley Henricks (Portland), who was pinch running for Fraser. Andreoli advanced to second on the throw home, tying the game at 2-2. Kuhn would strike out to end the inning and send the game to extra innings.

 

The Express broke the tie in the top of the eleventh inning. After the first two batters were retired, the Express followed with two straight singles. The winning run came across to score when Jacob Morris (Arkansas) reached on a Troy Scott error. This put the Express up 3-2.

 

Green Bay looked to have a rally going in the bottom of the eleventh inning. With one out, Betcher singled to left. Rob Coe (UW-Whitewater) popped out to first for the second out of the inning. During Andreoli’s at-bat, Betcher moved to second on a wild pitch. Andreoli would pop out to second to end the game.

 

Brian Burgess (West Arkansas) picked up the loss. He went four innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits. Troy Scott and Jared Andreoli would lead the way for the Frogs at the plate, both going 3-5.

 

The Bullfrogs and Express close out a three game series tomorrow, Sunday, July 11. The first pitch scheduled for 1:05 P.M. It is Star Wars day at Joannes Stadium tomorrow. Brad Schreiber is scheduled to pitch for the Bullfrogs. Don’t forget you can follow the Bullfrogs on Facebook and Twitter.