April 19, 2004

Eden Valley's Mike Mathies (42) is tagged out at home by Kimball catcher Scott Marquardt in the third inning Sunday at Veterans Memorial Park. Kimball won the Central Valley League game, 12-7.

The 2004 home opener for the Kimball Express, although soggy, was a successful one as they came back from a 7-4 deficit scoring six runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 12-7 victory knocking off the solid hitting lineup and Central Valley League nemesis Eden Valley Hawks.

In the top of the first inning the tough hitting lineup of the Hawks jumped all over Express starter Kris Hagen for two runs. They added one more off Hagen in the third inning making it 3-0. Hagen was solid in the second and fourth innings setting the Hawks down in order as he went four complete innings striking out two and allowing three earned runs. 

The Express answered with one in the fourth inning as Jeremy Kuechle jacked a solo homerun over the left field wall making it a 3-1 ball game. In the fifth inning the Express tied the game up at four a piece with a three run inning highlighted by an rbi double from starting first baseman Joe Krippner. Jeremy Kuechle followed that up with an rbi single. Kuechle finished the day 3-4 with 2 rbi.

The Hawks fired right back in the fifth scoring one off reliver Pat Arnold. In the sixth inning the Hawks tagged Arnold for three more runs as Arnold gave up a single to Steven Pennertz, walked two, allowed a sac bunt by Mike Mathies and a two run double by Chuck Geislinger. Geslinger went 3-3 on the day with two doubles and four rbi.

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. Kimball hitters took advantage of four walks by Eden Valley pitching in the inning. After Mike Arnold, Joe Pennertz and Justin Hill all walked loading the bases, Aaron Jacobs singled scoring Arnold. Joe Krippner walked scoring Pennertz. 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 make it 10-7. Arnold finished the game 3-5 with three rbi and two runs scored.

The Express did not look back after the sixth inning. The weather didn’t hold back after the sixth inning either as both teams waited out a 30 minute rain delay. The final three innings were played in an on again off again rain. The Express added two more runs in the seventh inning on a two run double by Justin Hill making the final score 12-7.

Pat Arnold (1-0) came on in relief of Hagen in the fifth inning picking up the win as he went four innings allowing four runs, striking out four and walking four. Joe Krippner relieved Arnold in the ninth as he got the Hawks to go down in order.

The Express 1-0 on the young season will wait until next Sunday before they travel to Watkins to take on the Watkins Clippers. Last year the Express won the season series with the Clippers going 2-0. The Clippers will be looking to get back at the Express on Sunday as the teams clash in a much anticipated CVL matchup. A 2:00 start is slated at the ball park in Watkins.