Capahas fall in semis of Valmeyer tourney

Six errors led to seven unearned as the Plaza Tire Capahas lost 12-7 to Fairview Heights in the semifinals of the Valmeyer, Ill., tournament Sunday.

The Capahas led 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning when their defense faltered. Starting pitcher Jason Chavez had retired two of the first three batters he faced, but three ensuing errors resulted in three unearned runs.

Fairview had also scored a pair of unearned runs in the second inning and added single unearned runs in the third and eighth innings. Five of the six Capahas errors were committed at shortstop and second base.

"Usually we have sound defense up the middle," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "It was just one of those days."

The Capahas fell to 17-3 on the season. Two of the losses have come against Fairview Heights, a team that Plaza Tire also recently beat twice in a doubleheader.

Plaza Tire trailed 5-3 after five innings but strung together five hits in a four-run sixth to move ahead 7-5. Mark Hagedorn, Shane Blair and Logan Bartels all had RBI singles in the inning, while Adam Blum had a sacrifice fly.

Fairview Heights pulled to within 7-6 in the sixth when it scored the first of seven unanswered runs.

After the Capahas yielded the three unearned runs in the seventh, Fairview Heights tacked on three runs in the eighth against reliever Kyle Marshall. Two of the runs were earned, both coming on a home run by former Southeast Missouri State player Michael Adamson.

Sean Bard had a two-run home run for the Capahas in the fourth inning.

Jason Blum went 4 for 5 with a double for the Capahas, while Bartels was 3 for 4. Cole Bieser had a triple among his two hits.

Plaza Tire will play for third place at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.