Capahas clobber Printers

A shorthanded St. Louis Printers team and a hot-hitting Plaza Tire Capahas squad made for a lopsided doubleheader.

The Capahas run-ruled the visiting Printers twice, 13-3 in six innings and 16-0 in 4 1/2 innings. Both ends of Sunday's twin bill were scheduled for seven innings.

"They're usually a pretty good ballclub. We split with them in St. Louis, and I took a pretty good team up there, then we had a really good game with them here the other night," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said of a recent 4-3 victory. "They came down here shorthanded. When you go up there they'll have 18, 20 players."

The Capahas, who improved to 14-6, matched their season-high with 13 runs in the opener. That was nothing compared to what took place in the second inning of the nightcap.

Bolen's squad scored 15 runs during that frame as the Capahas sent 21 batters to the plate.

The Capahas' Matt Wagner fields a ground ball during the fifth inning of the second game Sunday at Capaha Field. The Capahas defeated the St. Louis Printers 13-3 and 16-0. (Laura Simon)

Matt Wagner, Blake Gaddis and Daryl Graham all had two of the Capahas' 11 hits in the inning.

Wagner doubled twice and drove in three runs in the inning. Gaddis also had three RBIs in the frame, as did Sean Bard. Graham added two RBIs.

Wagner, a former Southeast Missouri State standout who has played in only five games for the Capahas this season, said what happened Sunday is enjoyable only to a point.

"You like to be in good games against competitive teams," Wagner said. "But this happens to everybody, where they're shorthanded. It's happened to us, and it'll happen to us again."

The Capahas have, in fact, been without several key players at times this season.

Capahas first baseman Josh Parham records the final out of Sunday's sweep as the Printers' Manny Flores is retired on a ground ball.

"I'd like to one time fill out the same lineup card two games in a row," Bolen said. "It hasn't happened yet, but that's the way summer ball is."

Wagner, who went 3 for 4 in the nightcap and had four hits on the day, played in the season opener but then was away from the team until Saturday's doubleheader at Springfield, Ill.

"I've been working a lot. and I've been coaching a 14-year-old team," Wagner said. "It's fun to be back out and playing again. We've got a good group of guys."

The Capahas had 26 hits during the doubleheader, including 14 in the first game. The hits included seven doubles and a triple.

Garrett Stevens went 3 for 4 in the opener. Bard tripled and doubled. Jordan Kimball had two hits and three RBIs, while Clint Cashen and Josh Eftink added two hits apiece.

"Everybody hit the ball," Wagner said.

Considering the type of offense the Capahas produced, it figured to be a long day for the Printers since Bolen threw two of his best and most experienced starters.

Anthony Maupin went all six innings of the opener, allowing seven hits while striking out seven and walking two. His bid for a shutout ended on a three-run homer by Manny Flores during the fifth inning.

Jason Chavez allowed two hits in three innings of the nightcap. He struck out two and walked none. Chavez likely would have stayed in the game had the Capahas not opened up a 16-0 lead through two innings.

"Those are two pretty good guys to throw out there," Bolen said.

Justin Simpher finished up the finale, allowing two hits over the final two innings.

Once things got out of hand in the nightcap, Bolen did all he could to keep the score from becoming more lopsided. He began sending pitchers to hit in the second inning and inserted several pitchers in the field.

"I think we got just about everybody in the game," Bolen said.

The Capahas return to action Wednesday at the St. Louis Golden Spikes. The Capahas are 2-1 against the Spikes this year, with the loss being in St. Louis.

"They'll have a real good club when we go up there," Bolen said.

(Game 1)

Printers 000 030 -- 3 7 3

Capahas 113 521 -- 13 14 2

WP -- Anthony Maupin. LP -- Derek Lively. HR -- Manny Flores (P). 3B -- Sean Bard (C). 2B -- Donnie Tomlinson (P), Adam Smith (P), Bard (C), Clint Cashen (C), Josh Eftink (C). Multiple hits -- Printers: Tomlinson 2-2, Dan Birch 2-3. Capahas: Garrett Stevens 3-4, Bard 2-2, Cashen 2-2, Eftink 2-3, Jordan Kimball 2-5. Records -- Capahas 13-6.

(Game 2)

Printers 000 00 -- 0 4 4

Capahas 1(15)0 0x -- 16 12 0

WP -- Jason Chavez. LP -- Donnie Tomlinson. 2B -- Matt Wagner (C) 2, Daryl Graham (C), Sean Bard (C). Multiple hits -- Printers: Cubby Bryan 2-2. Capahas: Wagner 3-4, Graham 2-2, Blake Gaddis 2-3. Records -- Capahas 14-6.