April 25, 2005

Scott Marquardt hammered two homeruns and Joe Pennertz capped off a eight run second inning with a three run ding dong to lead the Express over the visiting CVL perennial power Watkins Clippers Sunday at Kimball Veterans Memorial Field.

Express starting pitcher Pat Arnold was roughed up in the first two innings of Sunday’s contest as he allowed five runs on five hits. However, his Express teammates baled him out with a second inning offensive barrage scoring eight runs with two outs chasing Clipper starter Bruce Geislinger from the game after an inning and two thirds of work.

Geislinger was cruising striking out four of the first six batters he faced before the Kimball club unleashed a fiery of two out hits as they reclaimed the lead at 7-5 and didn’t look back. The big hit of the second inning was a three run shot to left centerfield by first baseman Joe Pennertz. In all Kimball tallied eight hits in the inning as they batted around the order, this was all done with two outs.

Arnold(IP 5, K 3, BB 4, H 7, R 5, ER 2), who picked up the win Sunday  would hold the Clippers in check as he settled down allowing only two hits over the next three innings of work before he was relived by Joe Krippner to start the sixth inning.

The Express offensive added a run in the fourth inning as Scott Marquardt got into a pitch sending it deep over the left field wall for his first homerun of the day. Marquardt had a huge opening day as he went 4-4 with two homeruns, a double, three rbi and three runs scored.

With the score 9-5 the Express put up four more runs in the sixth inning highlighted by another Scott Marquardt homerun, this time a two run shot that landed in the pine trees beyond the left centerfield wall. That was followed up with rbi doubles by Brian Marquardt and Jim Brubaker to make it 13-5 Express.

The Clippers tried to make a game of it as they rallied for five runs in the seventh inning off relievers Joe Krippner and Brooks Marquardt. Stan Groskruetz took a hanging curve ball deep over the left centerfield wall for a grand slam bringing the Clippers as close as 13-10.

Kimball came right back with a run in their half of the seventh inning as Nate Turck doubled home Brooks Marquardt. Turck had a big day at the plate as well going 3-5 with a double, two runs scored and two rbi’s.

Rail Report

The win over the Clippers was the first in over a year as the Clippers took the season series from the Express last year. The Express, 1-0 CVL 1-0 overall, are now tied for first place in the CVL South with the Cold Spring Rockies. Kimball travels to Cold Spring next Sunday to do battle with the Rockies in a first place showdown. The Rockies beat the Express three time last year as they swept the season series and also ended their season knocking them out of Region 10C play.

Kimball will be without starting left fielder Mike Arnold next Sunday, as he will be attending the baptism of his new son Andrew Michael Arnold. Congrats to Mike and his wife Leah. Also Joe and Jen Pennertz are proud parents to their second, Tyler Craig Pennertz. Congratulations to Joe and Jen.

New comers to this years Express squad are outfielder Matt Dingman and catcher Jimmy Brubaker. Matt is a sophomore from KAHS. Matt is a dedicated individual who works hard and has a very bright future with the Express.

Jim Brubaker comes to the Kimball squad after many stops along the way playing baseball. He last played for Hamel a year ago. Jim played Jr College baseball with Express starting third baseman Scott Marquardt. Jim has one year of college left at St. Cloud State, he and his girlfriend bought a home in Watkins this year and are very excited to be involved in the Kimball community playing baseball and helping out with all the other fundraising the Express do.

Spring Fishing Raffle

The raffle will be held at the Main Street Pub this Friday night. There will be a meat raffle at 6:30 p.m. before the drawing at 9:00 p.m. Tickets are still available. Contact any Kimball Fireman, Express player or visit the pub as they are available there.