MARQUARDT'S LIFT EXPRESS

August 7, 2004

Brooks Marquardt pitched a complete game to pick up the victory and Scott Marquardt’s three run double in the seventh inning helped advance the Kimball Express past the Sauk Centre Titans in Region 10C play at Watkins Friday night.

A pitchers duel it was until the seventh inning when the Express rallied for three runs to break open a scoreless game. Rob Mettenburg was on the mound for the Titans. Kimball opened the seventh with a single by Brian Marquardt. Pat Arnold then reached as he attempted to sac bunt Marquardt to second. It was a perfect bunt and the Express had two runners on. Nate Turck grounded out for the first. Brooks Marquardt then reached on a sac bunt attempt as the Titans were not able to make the play as Marquardt laid down a beauty and beat it out with his incredible speed. Jeremy Kuechle then lined out to short setting the stage for Scott Marquardt’s blast to right centerfield that cleared the bases.

The Titans mounted a rally in the ninth as they scored all three runs. Titan Joe Fredrichs flied out to left with the bases loaded to end the game.

The Express now play the St. Cloud Orthopedic Ice in round two Sunday Aug 8 at 4:00 in Watkins. The Ice defeated Watkins in round one by the score 4-1. The Express will start draftee left hander Danny Hansen and they plan on seeing Andy Auger on the mound for the Ice. See you all at the ball park.

Rail Report

The win improves the Express record to 22-10 overall. They wound up 3-0 in the CVL South playoffs taking the number one seed along with winning the regular season CVL South division title.

They now enter Region 10C tournament action in Watkins. The Express will play Friday night at 8:30 against the Lakewood League West number two seed, the Sauk Centre Titans. The last time these two teams met was in Watkins three years ago in region play with the Titans winning.

The region tournament is an eight team, double elimination format and takes place from Aug 6-15. Four teams from the Central Valley League and four teams from the Lakewood League have advanced.

Coming out of the Lakewood League West is the #1 Melrose Black Sox and the #2 Sauk Centre Titans. From the Lakewood League Central the #1 St. Cloud Orthopedics Ice and #2 O’Hara’s. Joining them out of the Central Valley League are the #1 Cold Spring Rockies and #2 Watkins Clippers from the CVL North and #1 Kimball and the #2 Luxemburg Brewers out of the CVL South.

The top two teams will advance to the 2004 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament held in Jordan and Belle Plain Aug 22-Sept 5.

After the league playoffs are over each team is allowed to draft two players from other teams in the league not advancing to region play. The players drafted can only be used as a pitcher or a catcher and they must play at least one out defensively before officially making a plate appearance.       

The Express decided to draft pitching as they welcome southpaw Danny Hansen and right hander Joel “Joby” McCann from the Eden Valley Hawks to round out their playoff roster. Hansen a left hander, pitches for St. Olaf College and has had a good year for the Hawks. McCann has had a solid year himself on the mound for the Hawks. Both will be looked upon to throw some key innings for the Express in playoff action. The Express are excited to have them and hope to bring them on a wild ride all the way to the 2004 state tournament as they seek back to back appearances.