Capahas beat rain, Printers

The rain held off just in time Sunday afternoon for the Craftsman Union Capahas to complete a series sweep of the St. Louis Printers.

Heavy rain pelted Capaha Field in the bottom of the fifth inning of the first game of a scheduled doubleheader and the diamond soon resembled a small pond, resulting in a 6-3, 4 1/2-inning victory for the Capahas. The second game was not played.

The Capahas, who swept a doubleheader from the Printers Saturday night, improved to 4-0 on the season. The Printers fell to 3-4.

"When the rain came, it really came," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "It was good to at least play some and overall it was a good first weekend of the season for us."

Brad Purcell overcame a shaky start to notch the victory. He allowed a two-run home run to Jake Tippee in the top of the first inning as the Printers grabbed an early lead. Purcell also gave up a run -- it was unearned -- in the second but then blanked the Printers over the final three frames.

Purcell allowed five hits in five innings, with five strikeouts and one walk.

A pair of three-run homers provided all the Capahas' scoring. Veteran Steve Kress connected to right field in the first inning, then Josh Eftink broke a 3-3 tie with a shot to left in the fourth.

Kress had two of the Capahas' seven hits off Printers' pitcher Kevin Meyer, who helped the home squad with seven walks.

Tippee led the Printers with two hits.

"We're playing pretty good baseball for this early in the season," Bolen said. "I'm pleased so far."