The Express had another busy week, winning three out of four games. The Express lost to the Eden Valley Hawks Wednesday night, 14-7. The team was in action playing in the Good Neighbor Days in Howard Lake on Friday and Saturday evening. The Express beat the Mayer Blazers Friday night, 3-1, and took care of the Winsted Wildcats in the championship, 2-0 to take first place for the fifth time. Eden Valley The Express jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. It took only one inning for the Hawks to squash any hopes of a route for the Express as Eden Valley exploded for eight runs on ten hits to take an 8-4 lead. The Hawks added a single run in each of the next two innings to bring the score to 10-4. Kimball only got as close as 10-7 before the Hawks tallied four more runs to end the game, 14-7. Kris Hagen (4-2) started for the Express, but was relieved in the fifth inning by Joe Krippner who finished the game. Joby McCann pitched all nine innings for the Hawks, picking up the complete game victory. Good Neighbor Days tourney The Express won its first-round game against the Mayer Blazers, 3-1. Pitcher Justin Hill (5-0) struck out seven, allowed zero walks and gave up one run scattering seven hits in seven innings. The Express scored two runs in the third inning and added one in the seventh. Scott Marquardt was 2-3 with an RBI to lead the Kimball offense. The Express met the Winsted Wildcats in the championship game. The Express played great defense with solid pitching performance from Brooks Marquardt (4-0) who gave up only six hits. Marquardt was named tournament MVP for his fine pitching performance. The game itself was a great one with a 0-0 score going into the seventh and final inning. The Express rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Joe Pennertz led off with a single followed by Mike Arnold with a double. Aaron Knaus knocked in what was the game-winning run with a single to right center. Arnold scored on an infield error by the Wildcats. St. Augusta The Express avenged a 9-4 whooping they received from the Gussies two weeks ago. They beat St. Augusta, 6-1. Jeremy Kuechle was 3-5 with two doubles, one run scored and a stolen base to lead the Express offense. Mike Arnold and Aaron Knaus both recorded doubles and Joe Krippner was 2-3 to round out the offensive highlights for the Express. Pat Arnold (6-0) started for the Express. He went all nine innings and gave up only one run on eight hits. Arnold’s complete game shutout bid was dashed in the bottom of the ninth as he gave up a single to Doug Laudenbach. Laudenbach scored on a two out double by Tom Fuchs that was just out of the reach of left-fielder Mike Arnold. The win gives the Express an 11-2 record in the CVL and a 19-3 mark overall. Rail report The Express have four more games this week. They play in Buffalo Wednesday, Paynesville Thursday (against Lake Henry) and Elrosa Friday night. The Express will play their first home game of the season against CVL rival Watkins at 2 p.m. Sunday. Express home opener There is no place like home. Kimball Express will finally play on the newly refurbished Veterans Memorial Field Sunday, June 29. There are still many projects slated for the field, but for right now it is in terrific playing shape. Players and volunteers are very proud of the time put into the fence and field and would like to invite everyone to attend Sunday’s game. The game will give the Express and volunteers the opportunity to show off the new look of the ball park. Kimball already has a tremendous football field and gymnasium along with a beautiful 18-hole golf course. Now the community has a nice baseball park to go with it all. Be a part of community pride on Sunday and come out to the ball park. Go Express! The Express will officially open and name the field next season with a ceremony before one of the first home games.
