Hawks Notch League Win Over Kimball, 3-2

Hawks Notch League Win Over Kimball, 3-2

The Eden Valley Hawks improved their league record with a win over the Kimball Express at the ball field in Kimball. The trains that passed by didn’t seem to affect the pitchers, as the teams struggled to score. Matthew Pennertz got his fourth league win on the season by almost pitching a complete game. His father, Gordy Pennertz, came in to retire the two batters he faced in the ninth for his first save on the season.

The Express threatened to score in the first inning, when they got runners on second and third with only one out. But first baseman Joby McCann threw out Jeremy Kuechle at home on a ground ball. Kimball did score in the inning, however, on Nate Turck’s RBI single. The Hawks were held scoreless until the fourth, when Dan Berg led off the inning with a walk. He advanced to third on Chuck Geislinger’s single. McCann then hit a looping fly ball that was caught by the centerfielder. Geislinger was doubled up at first on the play, but Berg tagged up and scored to tie the game.

The Express took the lead back in the fifth when Kuechle got a single, stole second, and scored on Scott Marquardt’s single.

The Hawks tied the game in the top of the seventh when McCann doubled and scored on Mike Mathies’s single up the middle. The game remained tied until the ninth, when Berg scored on McCann’s single after he had walked and was bunted to second.

The defense was solid for both teams, with a total of one error for both teams. The Hawks have a busy week ahead of them, with a home game against Farming on Tuesday night at 7:30. Then they play in the St. Cloud tournament over the weekend, with a home game against St. Augusta next Sunday afternoon. For a schedule and details about the Hawks, go online to www.geocities.com/evhawks to find out more.

Eden Valley Hitting: D. Berg, 2-3, BB, 2R; J. McCann, 2-3, 2B, R, 2RBI

Kimball Hitting: S. Marquardt, 3-4, 2B, SB, RBI; N. Turck, 2-4, RBI

Eden Valley Pitching (IP-H-R-ER-BB-K): M. Pennertz (W, 4-1) 8 1/3-9-2-1-0-10; G. Pennertz (S, 1) 2/3-0-0-0-0-0

Kimball Pitching (IP-H-R-ER-BB-K): K. Hagen 7-5-2-2-0-6; J. Krippner (L) 2-2-1-1-1-2