AH, AH, AH, AH, STAYIN' ALIVE, STAYIN' ALIVE

August 10, 2006

Jim Brubaker’s complete game six hitter propelled the Kimball Express into the second weekend of Region 11C play as the Express eliminated the Cold Spring Rockies 5-2 this past Sunday at Memorial Park in Howard Lake.

The Express gave the Rockies a dose of their own medicine this past Sunday as they eliminated them from play ending Cold Springs season, something the Rockies have done to the Express the past two years.

The Express had their backs to the wall Sunday after falling to the Buffalo Bulldogs 8-4 Saturday afternoon in the first round. The Express just plain got beat on Saturday. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and didn’t look back.

Sunday however was a different story as the Express jumped out 1-0 on the Rockies behind the big stick of Brian Marquardt. “Brain” got into one in the second inning driving it into the lake in left field to give the Express the early lead. They didn’t look back scoring three more runs in the fourth inning and added another later to make it 5-0 before the Rockies rallied for a pair of runs late in the game.

The win gives the Express the chance to play another day as they will try to come through the back door and advance to state tourney play. It won’t be easy as they will have to win three games next weekend to qualify.

Rail Report

The Express now 20-12 will face the Central Valley League North Division champion the Watkins Clippers on Friday night at 8:00 in Howard Lake. The loser is done for the season. It will be a tough row to hoe for whoever wins as they will need to win back to back games on Saturday to make it into the state tournament.

The Express were without their good luck charm fan Tanner Meierhofer on Saturday and they lost. He and his mom showed up for the game on Sunday and the Express won. Tanner plans on making it to Friday’s contest so things are looking good for the Express.