Patrick Arnold
The hometown Express had two home games this past week at Willow Creek Baseball Park. Wednesday, beating the Mulligans of Sartell 16-9 in six innings and taking a 2-2 tie to the bottom of the ninth inning with the defending class “C” state champion Watkins Clippers before the game was called because of rain.
Kimball vs. Sartell
A week ago on a cold windy Wednesday night, the Express faced a young Mulligans ball club from Sartell. Kimball took advantage of a grand slam homerun by catcher Scott Marquardt, a solo homerun by leftfielder Pat Arnold, and two doubles by DH Justin Hill to win the exhibition opener.
Kimball started right-hander Kris Hagen, who pitched three innings, striking out three before Joe Krippner relieved him in the fourth inning, who went the rest of the way. Hagen was pulled because of a high-pitch count early in the season. Hagen threw 72 pitches in three innings of work. Both pitchers gave up a combined six hits, control was the problem as they combined for nine walks on the night. It was a cold and miserable evening and it wreaked havoc on the pitchers from both teams. The Kimball offense took advantage of the conditions.
Kimball got on the board early in the first inning with the solo homerun from Pat Arnold and added to that with an eight run second inning. Scott Marquardt’s grand slam and Aaron Knaus and Justin Hill both crushed doubles, driving in Joe Pennetz, Mike Arnold and Brian Marquardt to give the Express an 8-0 lead. Sartell would come back and score five runs in the third and four runs in the fourth to get them back into the game. The Express would score five runs in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach for good at 16-9 as it was called after six complete innings because of darkness.
The Express record is 1-0 after beating the Sartell Mulligans.
Kimball vs. Watkins
The defending Class “C” State Champion Watkins Clippers were in town Sunday afternoon taking on the Express at Willow Creek Baseball Park. The Express and Clippers battled to a 2-2 tie before the game was called in the ninth inning because of rain, high winds & hail.
The continuation game will be played Wednesday, July 3, in Watkins when the two teams are scheduled to meet for the second time this season. Mark it down on the calendar and make the short trip over to Watkins July 3 and enjoy great baseball in a beautiful ballpark.
The Express have had fits the past few years playing the Clippers and getting beat handily, this past weekend’s game, however, brought forth a glimpse of what the Express’ hopes for the future. With nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning and the bases loaded, the Express were looking to end the game with a base hit. Before they could get the game over, however, the sky’s opened and doused the playing field with torrential downpour and pea size to marble-size hail.
The Express went with RP Pat Arnold on the mound where he would be effective, going eight innings giving up two runs, one earned, striking out four and walking one, along with one hit batsmen. He was relieved by lefthander Joe Krippner in the ninth inning. Joe would pitch one shut-out inning facing five batters in the top of the ninth.
Kimball was lead offensively by Jeremey Kuechle going 2-3 with an rbi, the youngster Brian Marquardt also had two hits and scored a run as well. The biggest hit of the game came off the bat of Aaron Knaus as he hit in the game-tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning, driving in Pat Arnold who led the inning off with a bloop double down the right-field line.
Both teams had a hard time getting hits as the total for both teams was twelve, seven for the Express and five for the Clippers. With a strong wind blowing in from right field combined with the wood bats, Kimball’s park actually favored the pitchers, which is very uncharacteristic because of its small dimensions.
The game was tied in the bottom of the ninth inning when it was called because of severe weather. The two teams will finish this game on July 3 in Watkins before their already scheduled game that night. Game time yet to be determined. When the game resumes, the Express will have the bases loaded with nobody out. At the plate will be Pat Arnold, at third base is Justin Hill, second is Joe Krippner and Jeremy Kuechle will be on first.
Upcoming Schedule
The Express have a busy week as they face off with the neighboring Kingston Kings on Wednesday night in Kimball, with the first pitch at 6:30. Sunday the Express will be in St. Nicholas facing the Nicks for Mothers Day, first pitch at 3:00.
Mothers Day Dinner
Don’t forget this coming Sunday, the Kimball Express will hold the annual Mothers Day Dinner, starting at 11 a.m. Treat your mother and come on out to the Playland Ballroom for the best chicken and dressing around on Sunday, May 12. The dinner is prepared by the excellent cooking staff at the Playland Ballroom. Check out the ad in this addition of the Tri County News for more detailed information.