Capahas enter World Series on a winning roll

Jess Bolen entered his 47th year as the Plaza Tire Capahas' manager facing plenty of question marks regarding his squad.

Bolen received most of the answers he was looking for as the Capahas put together a stellar regular season, going 28-3.

"To be honest with you I didn't think we'd do as well as we have," Bolen said. "I sure didn't think we'd only have three losses. They've surprised me. But the guys have done a really good job."

Bolen hopes the Capahas' regular-season success carries over into the postseason -- although he knows that is not always the case.

The Capahas are set to make their 32nd straight appearance at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Plaza Tire begins play in the 79th annual 32-team, double-elimination event at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Kansas Alumni.

"We're looking forward to the tournament. We've had a really good year. Now we'll see how we do out in Wichita," Bolen said. "It's always a great tournament with some excellent talent. Every team out there is really good. There are no weak teams."

The Capahas have experienced plenty of success in Wichita over the years, though not recently. They are 2-8 in their last four NBC World Series appearances, including a 1-2 showing last summer.

"You just never know what's going to happen out there from year to year," Bolen said. "I've had some teams that I thought would do very well out there and didn't. I've had teams I didn't think would do well and we won several games. The competition is so good every year."

The Capahas have thrived this summer with strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting -- a formula that often leads to success with wood bats, which is what Plaza Tire has used most of the season and what will be used in Wichita.

"You put a good pitcher out there and play some defense and you've got a chance with wood," Bolen said.

Bolen feels good about the pitcher he'll put on the mound Saturday.

Former Scott City High School standout and current Southeast Missouri State hurler Skylar Cobb has had a dominant summer. He is coming off a performance against Valmeyer, Ill., last weekend that saw him strike out 11 while allowing just one hit in five shutout innings.

That type of outing has been the norm rather than the exception this summer for Cobb, who will be entering his senior season at Southeast.

"I don't know how you could pitch much better than he has for us. He's been outstanding," Bolen said. "I feel really good about putting him out there. I think he'll give us a chance to win. And I feel like we've got a good defense that will make plays behind our pitchers."

The Capahas will face either the Kansas Cannons or the 19-under Hap Dumont League champion in their second NBC World Series game.

They'll play at 7 p.m. Sunday if they win Saturday. They'll play at 10:30 a.m. Sunday if they lose Saturday.

The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Foresters are the two-time defending champions. They defeated the Seattle (Wash.) Studs to win their fourth NBC World Series title last year.

Noteworthy

* All the Capahas games at the NBC World Series will be broadcast by ESPN-1220 AM.