Patrick Arnold
Express Win Two of Three
The Express scored thirty runs on thirty-eight hits along with four homeruns in a three-game span this past weekend. The Express grabbed two of three, beating Becker on Friday night and the Cold Spring Rockies on Saturday afternoon before falling to the Eden Valley Hawks in a well-played game on Sunday.
Kimball at Becker
The Express scrambled to the park on Friday night as the game in Becker had a 6:15 start.
The win gave Express momentum going into the weekend when they squared off with two CVL opponents.
Kimball vs Cold Spring
With a deadly combination of the Kimball ballpark’s small dimensions and the blowing wind, it looked like the Saturday afternoon match up of Central Valley League rivals could turn out to be a slugfest. To the Express’ liking, they were the only team to take advantage of the conditions, taking control of the game, scoring thirteen runs in the first three innings for a 13-2 lead and taking a lopsided CVL victory, winning 19-4.
This win gave the Express a record of 4-0 CVL and 6-4 overall.
Kimball vs Eden Valley
Sunday brought the high flying Eden Valley Hawks to Kimball as the two teams went nose to nose in what is always an exciting game between the two CVL rivals. Eden Valley would take the game away from the Express with a 3-2 victory.
The loss puts Kimball at 4-1 CVL and 6-5 overall. Kimball is still in the driver’s seat in the CVL North. Eden Valley, second place in the CVL South, moves to 5-1 and CVL 6-2 overall.
Hagen Throws Shutout
It’s been a long time since anyone can remember an Express pitcher throwing a complete game. This past Saturday, starting pitcher Kris Hagen did better than that, throwing a complete game two hit shutout as the Express smothered the St. Augusta Gussies 4-0 in CVL action on a partly sunny, warm afternoon in St. Augusta.
Hagen, in his second straight CVL start, came out strong, hitting spots and mixing pitches. He allowed two hits on the day. Both came off the bat of Gussie second baseman Dan Lommel, and both were hit in the same exact spot: shallow right centerfield. No Gussie runner advanced past first base. This was Hagen’s first ever complete game shutout of his young Express career and is also his first victory of the season (1-2).
Hagen has pitched very well in his last two starts and has had quality outings all year. The downfall has been no run support from a very capable Express offense, and on Saturday it was the same old story until the ninth inning.
The Express took a 1-0 lead into the top of the ninth inning, scoring the lone run in the fifth inning when rightfielder Pat Arnold, who went 2-5 2R, one RBI, SB, led off with a single and advanced to second on a Jeremy Kuechle sac bunt. He would score from second on a two out single by first baseman Joe Pennertz, giving the Express the lead for good. Pennertz had another good day at the plate going 2-3 with an RBI.
The game would stay 1-0 until the top of the ninth when the Express offense gave Hagen the much deserved four-run cushion as they plated three more runs. Brooks Marquardt would start the inning off with an infield single. He would use his speed, scoring all the way from first on brother Brian Marquardt’s crushing double to the left centerfield gap. Pat Arnold would knock in Brian as he poked one into centerfield for his second hit of the day. Arnold would steal second and score on a line drive single to centerfield by shortstop Jeremy Kuechle to give the Express a 4-0 lead. The Gussies would go down quietly in the ninth as Hagen retired them three up, three down.
The win improves Kimball’s record to 5-1 CVL and 8-5 overall. The Express are in first place in the CVL North and tied for second place overall with Eden Valley (5-1) and are one game back of Watkins (6-0).
Notes
The Express traveled to Sauk Rapids last week Wednesday and took on the Hurricanes winning 12-1. Due to no stats at the time of this writing no complete game summary was available. Scott Marquardt led the Express in the win as he continued his very hot hitting. Marquardt went 4-5 in the game. He has been on a tear this season going 12-16 in his last four games with 2 HR, 3 2B, and 8 RBI’s. The Express have been riding his hot bat.
Upcoming Schedule
Two Stearns County League teams travel to Kimball this week to take on the Express in non-league action. The Farming Flames (5-4) come to Kimball Wednesday night with a 6:30 start, and on Friday night the Lake Henry Lakers (3-6) make the trip over for another 6:30 start. The Express will have Saturday off and come back on Sunday to face the winless but scrappy St. Nicholas Nicks in CVL play. A 2:00 first pitch is scheduled. Probable starting pitchers for the Express look like this. Young right-hander Brandon Kuechle (1-0) will get the nod Wednesday against the Flames. Pat Arnold (1-0) will go on Friday when Lake Henry stops in town, and Kris Hagen (1-2) has the duty on Sunday against the Nicks.
The weather looks cooperative this week for the three-game set. Come on out and enjoy some fun and exciting amateur baseball in your hometown.