The Kimball Express broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth Saturday evening to edge Nimrod 3-2 in the first round of the Class C state baseball tournament.
The Express managed only five hits off Nimrod pitcher Gunner Johnson, who pitched nine innings and struck out 11 batters. Ben Johnson had the only two-hit game for Kimball. Johnson and Adam Beyer homered for the Express.
The Region 14C runner-up Gnats pushed both of their runs across home plate in the third inning. Paul Funk, Alex Brockpahler, Adam Johnson, Gunner Johnson, Stephen Funk, Brett Dormanen and Zack Johnson collected hits for Nimrod.
Ben Johnson pitched 7 ⅓ innings for Kimball and struck out nine before giving way to Dylan Gass, a draftee from Bird Island.
Kimball 000 100 101 - 3 5 1
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Nimrod 002 000 000 - 2 7 1
WP: Dylan Glass; LP- Gunner Johnson
HR: Ben Johnson (K), Adam Beyer (K)
