CAPAHAS CAPTURE EVANSVILLE TOURNEY

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Craftsman Union Capahas captured the 12-team Evansville Tournament on Sunday, avenging a loss to Lebanon, Ind., in the championship game.

The Capahas defeated Lebanon 4-3 as it won its fourth straight game since encountering a 5-4, 10-inning loss to the same squad on Friday.

Craftsman Union, 22-7 overall, split a pair of games on Friday but bounced back with two victories on both Saturday and Sunday.

"You take the last four games of the tournament and you have to feel good because we really played well," said Capahas coach Jess Bolen.

After Craftsman Union defeated Kokomo, Ind., 4-1 in the semifinals, tournament MVP Tristen McDonald sent the Capahas on their way in the title contest with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. The Capahas added two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Josh Eftink and Denver Stuckey for a 4-0 lead.

Capaha starter Aaron Gurley yielded a two-run home run in the sixth as Lebanon closed the gap to 4-2. Gurley also surrendered a solo shot in the seventh, but hung on for the win. He gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out three.

Eftink and McDonald each had two of the Capahas' seven hits.

In the semifinals, Brent Self turned in a dominating performance. He limited Kokomo to two hits, struck out eight and walked no one.

McDonald led an eight-hit attack by going 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Shawn Yarbrough added two hits.

Defensively, Bolen said he didn't think his team committed more than three errors through the entire six-game tournament.

"Our defense and pitching was outstanding and our hitting was fairly consistent," said Bolen.

The Capahas' Brad Purcell, who shut out St. Wendle, Ind., 4-0 on Saturday, was named the tournament's top pitcher.

"Our pitching staff, in six games, gave up 10 earned runs," said Bolen. "That's unbelievable with aluminum bats."

The Capahas will host the NBC Tournament this weekend at Capaha Field.