CLIPPERS SAIL PAST EXPRESS

April 26, 2004

The Watkins Clippers handed the Express their first CVL loss of the young season scoring three runs in the fifth inning on their way to a 7-5 victory on a sun drenched windy afternoon at the ball park in Watkins.

A good crowd turned out to watch the two CVL powers go head to head in their first meeting of the 2004 season. The Express had their chances throughout the game, but it was the Clippers taking advantage of their chances that was the difference.

Watkins was able to score three runs in the fifth inning as Kimball pitching walked two and hit two Clipper batters. They also rode the bats of Eric Malvin and Todd Geslinger as both hit solo homeruns on the day. Malvin going yard in the first inning starting the Watkins scoring giving them an early 1-0 lead and Geislinger in the sixth ending the scoring for the Clippers.

In the top of the fifth inning the Express rallied for three runs with the big hits coming off the bats of Mike Arnold and Aaron Knaus with Arnold driving in a pair with a single and Knaus with an rbi double to give the Express a 4-3 lead. The lead didn’t last long as the Clippers answered with their three run fifth, taking the lead back for good at 6-4. The Clippers made it 7-4 with Geislinger’s solo shot in the sixth.

The Express would mount a rally in the eighth inning loading the bases with one out. They were only able to come up with one run as Jeremy Kuechle hit one to the hole on the left side of the infield that was fielded by Clipper shortstop Pat Geislinger and forced out Joe Krippner at third base. That was all the Express could muster as they left Watkins on the losing end of a 7-5 contest, the first of two games on the season with the Clippers. 

Kris Hagen started his second consecutive game and gets the no decision as he went four innings striking out two, walking one, hitting one and allowing four runs. Joe Krippner (0-1) relived Hagen in the fifth inning and takes tough luck loss as he gave up the go ahead runs in the inning. Bruce Geislinger picks up the win for the Clippers as he went five innings allowing four runs, striking out six, walking three and hitting three Express batters.

Todd Geislinger came on in relief of Bruce Geislinger in the sixth inning to keep the game in check for the Clippers. Pat Arnold relieved Joe Krippner in the fifth inning and went the rest of the way for the Express.

Kimball now 1-1 in the CVL sits behind the first place St. Nicholas Nicks who are at 2-0 and atop the CVL South division. The Express are in action again next Sunday as they travel to Marty to take on the Pearl Lake Lakers. Game time is slated for 2:00, come on over to Marty for some exciting CVL baseball action.