SPRINGERS HOLD OFF EXPRESS

June 10, 2004

The Express were in Cold Spring this past Wednesday evening to take on the Springers in exhibition baseball. The Springers held on after coming back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Kimball by a score of 5-4.

The Express started Brian “Brain” Marquardt on the mound Wednesday. This was Brain’s first ever career start for the Express and the first action on the mound in over a year. He pitched very good considering all of the above. The Kimball defense didn’t help the youngster out as they committed three errors on the night.

Kimball took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning and added one more in the fifth making it 3-1. Cold Spring went on had a three run sixth inning to take the lead. This is the inning the Express gave up two unearned runs. Good teams find a way to win and the Springers are a heck of a team as they sludged threw a game that only saw two extra base hits on the night. One on a double by Springers first baseman Darren Heying and the other a solo blast in the top of the ninth by Jeremy Kuechle making it 5-4. Kuechle led the Express offense going 3-5. Brian Marquardt, Pat Arnold and Joe Pennertz all collected two hits on the night.

Springer Andy Bulson kept the Express in check after allowing three early runs. He settled down and really didn’t get into any trouble after the fourth inning. He was relieved by Dave Hinkemeyer in the ninth inning as Hinkemeyer picked up the save. Joe Krippner relieved Marquardt in the seventh inning for the Express.

The loss moves the Express record to 8-5 overall. They are 5-4 in CVL play. The are in St. Cloud today for the St. Cloud Sports Inc. Amateur Baseball Tournament. Games are pushed back due to rain. Kimball will now play at 4:00 and 7:00. See you at the ballpark.