St. Cloud, Eau Claire To Play For NWL Title
Best-of-Three Series Opens Tonight in St. Cloud

The Eau Claire Express won two games on the road with their season on the line to advance to the 2007 Northwoods League Championship Series against the St. Cloud River Bats, which begins tonight in St. Cloud, MN. The best-of-three series will continue Friday and, if necessary, Saturday night in Eau Claire, WI. All games will start at 7:05 PM Central.

Eau Claire dropped game one of the South Divisional series at home 8-0 to the Green Bay Bullfrogs. They bounced back on the road winning game two 9-0 before closing out the series with a 6-3 win Wednesday night in Green Bay, WI.

Meanwhile, St. Cloud swept their series against the Duluth Huskies winning both games on Tuesday night in the North Divisional playoffs. Game one, which began in St. Cloud on Monday, was suspended after six innings due to rain and concluded Tuesday in Duluth, MN with the River Bats breaking a 4-4 tie and winning 8-4. St. Cloud completed the sweep later in the night with a 10-5 victory. The River Bats had the benefit of a day off on Wednesday while Eau Claire and Green Bay were battling in the South.

St. Cloud is making its sixth championship series appearance in the franchise's eleven year history. They won the Northwoods League Title in 1998 and 2000 while appearing in the championship series in 1999, 2001, and 2003. Eau Claire, who joined the league in 2005, advances to the championship series in their first post-season appearance.

St. Cloud and Eau Claire met four times in the regular season with the River Bats winning all four games. Two of the victories came in extra innings and three in one-run games.

Championship Playoff Schedule (Best-of-Three):

Thursday, August 16th:
Eau Claire at St. Cloud, 7:05 PM CDT (Joe Faber Field)

Friday, August 17th:
St. Cloud at Eau Claire, 7:05 PM CDT (Carson Park)

Saturday, August 18th: (if necessary)
St. Cloud at Eau Claire, 7:05 PM CDT (Carson Park)