REGION 11C PLAY BEGINS FRIDAY

August 2, 2005

Wednesday evenings 16-1 victory over the Pearl Lake Lakers of Marty in Cold Spring gives the Express a berth in this years 11C Region Tournament.

The Express and Lakers battled it out with the loser going home for the year. It only took until the second inning when Mike Arnold’s two run double put the Express up 3-0. Kimball didn’t look back as they went on to win the game and advance to region play.

Pat Arnold got the nod for the Express and pitched effectively wild as he walked three and hit two batters, but picked up the win. Kris Hagen relieved Arnold to start the sixth inning and finished the game.

Brian Marquardt led the Express offensively going 3-5 with 3 rbi’s and a double. Joe Pennertz and Mike Arnold doubled and Scott Marquardt drove in four runs.

Seeding game

On Saturday afternoon the Express were back in Cold Spring to play the Rockies in a seeding game. The Express had to beat Cold Spring twice in order to receive the number one seed. They came up short losing 3-2 to the Rockies in 11 innings.

Brooks Marquardt started for the Express and held the Rockies close all day. Brad Koltes threw for the Rockies and kept his club close enough to get the victory. Marquardt was relieved by Jim Brubaker to start the tenth inning, Brubaker takes the tough luck loss. Mike Heinen relieved Koltes in the tenth inning as he picks up the win.

The Express had a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth inning when the Rockies tied it up. The Express had the bases loaded in the top of the eleventh inning but Pat Arnold struck out to end the threat. Rockies third baseman Rick Burtzel’s soft liner up the middle scored Josh Porwoll from second to end the game.

Rail Report

The Express now enter region play which will be held in Cold Spring at Cold Spring Baseball Park. The dates for the tournament are August 5,6,7 and Aug 12,13,14. The two weekend event will sort out two teams to represent Region 11C in this years Class C state tournament held in Dassel and Hutchinson.

The Express play Friday evening at 6:00 against  the Maple Plain Diamond Devils in Cold Spring. Maple Plain is the number one seed out of the North Star East.

Teams entering region play out of the Central Valley League are Kimball, Eden Valley, Watkins and Cold Spring. The four teams out of the North Star League that round out the region participants are Mound, Maple Plain, Monticello and Buffalo.

Express Draft Two