EXPRESS BLANKED 1-0, FACE ELIMINATION WEDNESDAY

July 25, 2005

On a sticky overcast Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field in Kimball the Express’ bid for a Region 11C berth was delayed as the pesky Cold Spring Rockies outlasted the Express in a pitchers duel winning 1-0.

Brooks Marquardt went all nine innings for the Express striking out seven and walking one. He gave up six hits on the day one of them being a solo homerun off the bat of Rockies DH Marcus Bergner. Marquardt pitched awesome in giving his team a chance to win. Rockies ace Rick Burtzel pitched a gem of a game himself getting the complete game, three hit shut out, and the victory.

Other than the blast by Bergner and Rockies Josh Porwall collecting three hits for the visiting team, there wasn’t many fire works.

The Express had a few mini threats throughout the game but came up empty as Burtzel made the right pitches at the right time.

The loss gives the Express a 17-9 overall record and are now 1-1 in the CVL South playoffs.

Dassel

The Express traveled to Dassel Wednesday night and faced off against the perennial Class B state entrant DC Saints. Kimball dropped the exhibition contest 7-1.

The Express entered the eighth inning down 3-1 when the Saints rallied for four runs giving them the 7-1 lead and the victory as the Express were unsuccessful in their comeback hopes in the top of the ninth.

Paul Hughes started for the Express as this was his second appearance on the hill all year for the Express. He went six innings pitching very well holding the big bats of the Saints in check. Hughesy didn't get the run support he needed.

Rail Report

The loss sends the Express to the elimination round as they play the Pearl Lake Lakers Wednesday night at 7:30 in either Watkins or Cold Spring. Pearl Lake defeated the Luxemburg Brewers Sunday in an elimination game. Pearl Lake will be looking to avenge a first round loss at the hands of the Express. Wednesday nights game should be a very entertaining one as the winner will qualify for Region 11C play.

Cold Spring qualifies for Region 11C play with the win over the Express and will await the winner of Wednesday nights game between the Express and Lakers. This Saturday there will be a seeding game to decide who gets the number one seed in regions out of the CVL South. Whom ever wins between the Lakers and Express they will need to beat the Rockies twice to earn the number one seed.