St. Augusta The Express closed the Central Valley League (CVL) season playing a make-up game against the St. Augusta Gussies Tuesday, July 13, in Watkins. The Express won on a bottom-of-the-ninth two-run single by Jeremy Kuechle. The final score was 4-3 for the Express, who finished the CVL season 8-6, taking first place in the CVL south division. Express starting pitcher Justin Hill went all nine innings, striking out 10 and allowing two earned-runs out of three runs for his third win of the year. Jeremy Kuechle led the team offensively 3-4, with the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. The Gussies led 3-1 after six innings before the Express rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Brooks and Brian Marquardt led the ninth inning with back-to-back walks. Scott Marquardt singled to bring in Brooks to score, closing the gap to 3-2. Joe Pennertz hit one to centerfield to bring Brian to third. Aaron Knaus loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Kuechle’s heroics. Kuechle scorched a line drive single over the outstretched arm of the second baseman, scoring two runs to end the game. Maple Lake The exhibition game between the Maple Lake Lakers and the Express was an ugly one if you were cheering for the Express. Maple Lake crushed the Express 14-3 in a game called on the 10- run rule after seven innings. Maple Lake scored in every inning except the bottom of the sixth. The big blow came in the third inning when the Lakers blew the game open, scoring six runs. The Express were never able to recover as they dropped their ninth game of the season. Kris Hagen made his first start on the mound in almost two months and had a rough outing for the loss. Hagen was just happy to be pitching after being on the shelf for most of the season. Joe Krippner relieved Hagen in the third inning. Krippner went three innings before Jeremy Kuechle came on in relief in the sixth. Kuechle pitched the only scoreless inning in the game. St. Nicholas Mid-July is the beginning of playoffs for Minnesota amateur baseball, and with that comes “win or go home” intensity. The top-seeded Express hosted the number four seeded St. Nicholas Nicks Sunday, July 18, in the first round of the double elimination CVL South playoffs, 8-1. The Nicks played the Express tightly in both games this season with Kimball winning 1-0 in game one and 7-6 in extra innings in game two. Kimball came out with something to prove as they jumped on the Nicks early, dejecting any hopes of a first round upset. Last year the Express were upset in round one by the number four seeded Pearl Lake Lakers; they weren’t about to let it happen again. Aaron Knaus drove in two with a double to the right centerfield gap as the Express exploded in the first inning for four runs to take the early lead, 4-0. Nate Turck scored on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Kuechle in the fifth. Starting pitcher Pat Arnold allowed four hits and one earned run in a complete game effort. He threw 104 pitches, struck out two and walked one, improving his record to 7-1. With the Express up 5-1 and cruising to victory, Joe Pennertz blasted a three-run dinger over the left centerfield wall to give the Express the 8-1 win. Pennertz finished 2-4 with four RBI and two runs. Pitcher Pat Arnold collected two hits going 2-3. Jeremy Kuechle went 1-2 with two walks, two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI. Rail report The win against St. Nicholas propels Kimball into the second round. They host the Eden Valley Hawks at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 25. The Hawks beat Luxemburg 7-1 to advance. The winner of next Sunday’s game qualifies for Region 10C play in Watkins. The loser will play against the winner of Luxemburg and St. Nick to advance to region play. That game will be played next Wednesday at a site to be determined. The Express will also play the D-C Saints Wednesday July 21, in Dassel. Kimball won the first meeting against the Saints earlier this season. Class C teams can play exhibition games during playoffs, as long as they play against Class B teams.
