The Watkins Clippers handed the Express their first CVL loss of the young season. They scored three runs in the fifth inning on their way to a 7-5 victory on a sun-drenched, windy afternoon at the ballpark in Watkins. A good crowd turned out to watch the two CVL powers go head-to-head in their first meeting of the 2004 season. The Express had their chances throughout the game, but it was the Clippers taking advantage of those chances that made the difference. Watkins was able to score three runs in the fifth inning and with Kimball pitching walked two and had hits on two Clipper batters. They also rode the bats of Eric Malvin and Todd Geislinger as both hit solo homeruns. Malvin started the Watkins scoring in the first inning, giving them an early 1-0 lead and Geislinger in the sixth ended the scoring for the Clippers. In the top of the fifth inning the Express rallied for three runs. The big hits came off the bats of Mike Arnold and Aaron Knaus with Arnold driving in a pair on a single and Knaus with a RBI double to give the Express a 4-3 lead. The lead didn’t last long as the Clippers answered with their three-run fifth inning, taking the lead back for good at 6-4. The Clippers made it 7-4 with Geislinger’s solo shot in the sixth. The Express mounted a rally in the eighth inning by loading the bases with one out. They were only able to come up with one run, as Jeremy Kuechle hit one to the hole on the left side of the infield that was fielded by Clipper shortstop Pat Geislinger, and forced out Joe Krippner at third base. That was all the Express could muster as they left Watkins on the losing end of a 7-5 contest, the first of two games of the season with the Clippers. Kris Hagen started his second consecutive game and got the no-decision as he went four innings and struck out two, walked one, hit one and allowed four runs. Joe Krippner (0-1) relieved Hagen in the fifth inning and took a tough-luck loss as he gave up the go ahead runs in the inning. Bruce Geislinger picked up the win for the Clippers as he went five innings and allowed four runs, struck out six, walked three and hit on three Express batters. Todd Geislinger came on in relief of Bruce Geislinger during the sixth inning to keep the game in check for the Clippers. Pat Arnold relieved Joe Krippner in the fifth inning and went the rest of the way for the Express. Kimball, now 1-1 in the CVL, sits behind the first-place St. Nicholas Nicks who are at 2-0 atop the CVL South division. The Express are in action again Sunday, May 2, as they travel to Marty to take on the Pearl Lake Lakers. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. Come over to Marty for some exciting CVL baseball action.
