The Express opened the refurbished Kimball Veterans Memorial Field with a 13-2 route of the visiting Watkins Clippers in Central Valley League amateur baseball action. Behind a very strong pitching performance from right hander Brooks Marquardt and some great hitting from the Express offense, Kimball was able to take the season series with the Clippers. The Express pounded out 21 hits with five Express hitters collecting three hits or more. Shortstop Jeremy Kuechle led the way going 4-5 with two doubles, an RBI and three runs scored. However, the highlight of the afternoon was Mike Arnold’s displayof power with a three-run homerun in the four run sixth inning. Arnold launched a first pitch fastball over the Blue Monster in leftfield, the first homerun hit over the new outfield wall. Arnold finished the day 2-6 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. The Express held a 5-2 lead going into the sixth inning before they erupted for those four runs to blow the game open. They added three more runs in the seventh and one more in the eighth to make the final score 13-2. Mike Arnold, Aaron Knaus and manager Tom Marquardt all recorded doubles during the game. Tom pinch-hit for Jeremy Kuechle in the eighth inning. Nate Turck, Joe Pennertz, Aaron Knaus and Brian Marquardt all collected three hits. Brooks Marquardt kept the Clippers in check all afternoon to record his fifth win of the year. He gave up four hits on the day striking out seven Clippers as he worked eight innings. Marquardt was relieved by Jeremy Kuechle in the ninth inning. The win gives the Express a 12-2 mark in the CVL and are now 22-3 overall. Express in exhibition action Lake Henry The Express had games Thursday and Friday this past week as well. Kimball was in Paynesville Thursday night taking on Lake Henry. The Express came out victorious beating a good Laker ball club 6-3. Jeremy Kuechle again led the offense charge with a 3-5 performance. Joe Pennertz and Nate Turck added doubles and Pat Arnold was 2-5. Kris Hagen pitched seven strong innings, striking out three to pick up the win. Elrosa The Express tangled with the Saints and came out on top with a 5-4 win, Friday evening. The Express survived a ninth inning comeback as the Saints had a runner tagged out at home on a botched suicide squeeze attempt to tie the game. The Express were up 5-2 before they let the Saints sneak back into the game in the later innings. Justin Hill recorded his seventh win of the year going eight complete innings, striking out seven Saints. Jeremy Kuechle came on in the ninth to pick up his third save of the year. The Express offense was led by Scott Marquardt who went 3-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Pat Arnold was 1-2 with a triple, he also recorded a sac bunt. News and notes The Express give a very special thank you to the anonymous sign maker. If you didn’t see the sign Sunday at the intersection of Highway 55 & 15, begin to look for it in the weeks ahead. The sign reads, “Express Baseball Today” with an arrow pointing south towards Veterans Memorial Field. This sign will be displayed all day for every home game. We do not know who made the sign but we thank you very much! Mike Arnold’s three run homerun in the sixth inning of Sunday’s game was the first over the new wall. Mike was awarded a hundred dollar bill from Chuck Froehling after the game. Chuck has donated endless volunteer hours in helping build the wall and one day while working on the field he promised to the players that the first player to hit one over the wall, he would donate $100. Mike is planning on using the money towards something for the field. Chuck also was honored at the game on Sunday for his volunteer work as he threw out the first pitch and was given a game ball signed by all the players. Thanks again Chuck for your time and dedication. The Express do not play again until Saturday, July 5. They will be home against the Litchfield Blues. Sunday they will host Eden Valley Hawks. Both games are scheduled for 2 p.m.
