EXPRESS BEAT ST. AUGUSTA, BUT LOSE TO MAPLE LAKE

July 16, 2004

St. Augusta

Tuesday night July 13 the Express wrapped up the CVL season in Watkins against the St. Augusta Gussies in a make up game winning in the bottom of the ninth on a Jeremy Kuechle bases loaded two run single, capping off a three run rally as the Express came from behind to win 4-3 finishing the CVL season 8-6 and taking first place in the CVL South division.

Express starting pitcher Justin Hill went all nine innings striking out ten and allowed three runs, two earned to pick up his third win of the year and Jeremy Kuechle was 3-4 with the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth to lead the team offensively.

The Gussies lead 3-1 after six innings before the Express rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to take the game and split the season series. In the ninth Brooks and Brian Marquardt led the inning off with back to back walks. A Scott Marquardt single scored Brooks to close the gap to 3-2. Joe Pennertz flew out to centerfield advancing Brian to third. Aaron Knaus loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch, setting the stage for Kuechle’s heroics, as he scorched a line drive single up the middle over the outstretched arm of Gussie’s second baseman into centerfield scoring two runs and ending the game.

Maple Lake

The exhibition game between the Maple Lake Lakers and the Express was an ugly one if you were cheering for the Express. Maple Lake crushed the Express 14-3 in a game called after seven innings due to the ten run rule.

Maple Lake scored in every inning except the bottom of the sixth. The big blow came in the third inning when the Lakers blew the game open scoring six runs. The Express were never able to recover as they dropped their ninth game of the season. 

Kris Hagen made his first start on the mound in over a month and a half and had a rough outing taking the loss, but was happy to be back out and pitching after being on the shelf for most of the season. A team going into the playoffs can never have too much pitching. Joe Krippner relieved Hagen in the third inning. Krippner went three innings before Jeremy Kuechle came on in relief in the sixth inning as Kuechle pitched the first scoreless inning in the game for the Express pitching staff.