The Express played the Cold Spring Springers in exhibition action Wednesday, June 9, in Cold Spring. The Springers came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Kimball, 5-4. Brian Marquardt started on the mound Wednesday. This was his first ever career start for the Express, and his first action on the mound in more than a year. The Kimball defense didn’t help the youngster out as they committed three errors in the game. Kimball took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning and added another run in the fifth to bring the score to 3-1. Cold Spring had a three-run sixth inning to take the lead. Good teams find a way to win, and the Springers are a heck of a team; they sludged through a game that only had two extra base hits. One was a double by Springers first baseman Darren Heying; the other was a solo blast by Jeremy Kuechle in the top of the ninth. Kuechle led the Express offense going 3-5. Brian Marquardt, Pat Arnold and Joe Pennertz each collected two hits. Springer Andy Bulson kept the Express in check after allowing three early runs. He was relieved by Dave Hinkemeyer in the ninth to pick up the save. Express pitcher Joe Krippner relieved Marquardt in the seventh.
