Though the Kimball Express home opener was soggy, the team pulled off a victory, coming back from a 7-4 deficit to win 12-7 against the Eden Valley Hawks. The Hawks’ tough hitting line-up took two runs from starter Kris Hagen in the first inning. The Hawks added another run in the third to bring the score to 3-0. Hagen went four complete innings, struck out two and allowed three earned runs. The Express answered with a run in the fourth inning when Jeremy Kuechle hit a solo homerun over the left field wall. The Express tied the game by earning three runs in the fifth inning. First baseman Joe Krippner got a RBI double, followed by a RBI single from Jeremy Kuechle. Kuechle finished the day 3-4, with 2 RBIs. The Hawks fired back in the fifth, scoring a run from reliever Pat Arnold. The Hawks tagged Arnold for three more runs in the sixth. Arnold gave up a single, two walks, a sacrifice bunt, and a two-run double by Chuck Geislinger. Geislinger went 3-3 with two doubles and four RBIs in the game. The Hawks held a 7-4 spread going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Express offense came to life as they exploded for six runs in the sixth inning, giving them a 10-7 lead. After Mike Arnold, Joe Pennertz and Justin Hill all walked to load the bases, Aaron Jacobs singled to score Arnold. Krippner then walked to score Pennertz, and Justin Hill scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 7-7. With two on and two outs, Pat Arnold hit a wind-aided three run dinger to bring the score to 10-7. Arnold finished the game 3-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored. The weather couldn’t hold back after the sixth inning, and the game was put on hold for a 30 minute rain delay. The final three innings were played in on-again off-again rain. The Express added two more runs in the seventh inning with a two- run double by Justin Hill. Pat Arnold (1-0) came on in relief of Hagen in the fifth inning, picking up the win as he went four innings, allowed four runs, struck out four and walked four. Joe Krippner relieved Arnold in the ninth. The Express season continues next Sunday when they take on the Watkins Clippers in Watkins. The Express won last year’s season series with the Clippers going 2-0. The Clippers are looking to get back at the Express Sunday, as the teams clash in a much anticipated CVL matchup. A 2 p.m. start is slated at the ball park in Watkins.
