The Express traveled to Luxemburg Sunday, May 16, to beat the Brewers 3-2 for the second time in just over a week. A bases-clearing two-run double by Jeremy Kuechle and a sacrifice fly by Scott Marquardt – scoring Kuechle from third – gave the Express their third win in a row, and their second win against Luxemburg, for the season. It was a duel between Express pitcher Pat Arnold and Adam Holzheimer for the Brewers. The teams had a combined total of seven hits, with weak offense in the first six innings. Arnold kept the “Brew Crew” in check, allowing one single in six innings. Holzheimer gave up three hits in his six innings on the mound. The Brewers got to Arnold in the bottom of the seventh, taking two walks and two hits. Arnold left the game after just under seven innings in which he allowed only three hits. He gave up two earned runs as the Brewers took the lead 2-0. Brian Marquardt’s single and Nate Turck’s walk set the stage to score on Kuechle’s line-drive double. Kuechle advanced to third while the Brewers tried to get Turck out at home. Scott Marquardt brought Kuechle home with a high sacrifice fly down the right field line. Brooks Marquardt relieved Arnold in the seventh and pitched the final three innings to pick up the win. This was Marquardt’s first action on the mound for the Express this season. Brooks, his brother Brian and Turck are all back from their college teams for summer play with the Express. Kuechle led the Express offensively 1-4, with a double and two RBIs. Arnold (1-1) made his second start and his fourth appearance of the year. Rail Report All nine of the Express regulars were back in the lineup for the first time this season. Nate Turck just finished up his senior season with the Valley City State Vikings in Valley City, N.D. Brooks Marquardt completed his final season with the Dakota State Trojans in Madison, S.D. Brian Marquardt is also back since his team, Willmar’s Ridgewater Warriors, ended their season. All three are back for some Express action. The Express are 4-2 and in first place in the CVL South and 4-2 overall. Look for things to really get rolling this week as the schedule heats up. The Express travel to Hutchinson Wednesday, May 19, to open the exhibition schedule doing battle with the Huskies. A 7:30 p.m. first pitch is slated with right-hander Kris Hagen on the mound. The Express will take on the Cold Spring Rockies at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 22. The Express won last year’s season series with the Rockies, 2-0. Cold Spring has a great squad and the game is sure to be a CVL showdown. Kimball will be at home at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 23, to take on the St. Augusta Gussies. Last year the Express and Gussies split the season series. The Gussies handed the Express their first loss of the season last year. St. Augusta is off to a slow start this season. Look for a great game between the two teams. For updates, stats and more check out the Express Web site at www.kimballexpress.com.
