Broncos bust loose for 9-4 victory

Plaza tire dropped the opener of the three-game series.

Southeast Missourian

Plaza Tire met what likely could be considered the best team on its schedule Saturday night when the Capahas played the Wichita Broncos in the opener of a three-game series Saturday at Capaha Field.

The Broncos -- four-time NBC World Series champions -- came in winners of 13 of their last 14 games. Wichita made it 14 of 15 with a 9-4 victory over the Capahas behind seven solid innings from starter Rusty Jones.

Plaza Tire will play two more 7 p.m. games against the Broncos tonight and Monday. Wichita improved to 26-10, while the Capahas fell to 14-5.

Keying the Broncos victory was Jones, a left-handed starter. Jones struck out nine, allowed six hits, two runs and walked none in seven innings.

"He's a veteran in our organization; he's played for the Broncos four years," Broncos manager JR DiMecurio said. "That's what we expect out of Rusty Jones every time he goes out."

In Jones' seven innings, the Capahas had more than one runner on base in just two innings.

Capahas manager Jess Bolen said Jones' windup made his release point hard to pick up, something the players commented on in the dugout.

"Levi Olson told me that's the best pitcher he's faced all year," Bolen said.

While Jones had his way with the Capahas' lineup, Plaza Tire starter Jason Chavez had his share of problems. Chavez had the most trouble with Wichita leadoff man Kenny Waddell, who reached base all three times he faced him.

Waddell, who had three hits, scored the first run of the game after hitting a one-out triple in the third. Eric Farris drove Waddell in with a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, the Broncos added three more runs, with Waddell providing the big blow with a two-run single. Another run came in on a passed ball. Chavez was chased in the sixth inning when an error with two outs allowed the fifth Wichita run to score for a 5-0 lead.

"I was a little worried after the nine-hour bus ride, but our guys came out ready to play," DiMercurio said. "We faced a good pitcher tonight."

Plaza Tire finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Robby Moore led off with a triple and scored when Lance Seasor grounded out to third base.

The Broncos expanded their lead in the seventh, plating two runs off reliever Ryan Forsyth with the aid of an error, one of three committed by the Capahas on the night.

"We didn't really stand out on defense," Bolen said. "We could have played better."

Bryan Ingram led Plaza Tire with three hits and two RBIs. Moore and Olson added two hits apiece. Bryan Kurt had a double and an RBI.

Plaza Tire added a run in the seventh and two in the eighth. The Capahas had a runner cut down at home in the eighth which would have brought the score to 7-5.

The Broncos added a pair of runs in the ninth off reliever Josh Parham.

Bolen said just playing a team the caliber of the Broncos will help his team, and he expects his team to play better the rest of the series.

"It's these kind of teams that you want to play," he said. "You know if you don't play well, you're going to get beat."