CAPAHAS GET RUDE EXIT FROM NBC 11-1

WICHITA, Kan. -- The McDowell Capahas were not used to this.

The Caps, a team composed of offensive-minded sluggers, were limited to just one run on three hits as they were eliminated from the National Baseball Congress World Series with an 11-1, five-inning run-rule defeat at the hands of the Seguin (Tex.) Steelers Wednesday night.

The Capahas (29-8), who took a 12-game winning streak to Wichita, failed to win a game in the NBC World Series for the second straight year.

"We didn't play very well at all," Bolen said. "They got off to a four-run first, then they got three in the second and they had us on the ropes. I just want to apologize to the fans from Cape Girardeau that we didn't play very well.

"But you have to remember the whole year, sweeping through the regional and the 12-game winning streak. It was a good year, considering the injuries. I've never dealt with so many injuries. I'm satisfied with the whole record. Twenty-one games over .500 isn't bad.

The Capahas' lone run came in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Todd. Steve Kress led off the inning with a double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came home on Todd's fly to left.

"He (Steelers starter Daylan Childress) was pretty good," Bolen said. "But there were several balls that we hit like rockets right at people. (First baseman Dan) Chinnici hit one to the 415-foot mark that was caught that would've been a home run at Busch Stadium. So we hit the ball hard, but we didn't have anything fall."

The Caps' pitching imploded from the beginning. The Steelers scored four runs in the first and three in the second, steamrolling over starter Brent Self.

Steelers center fielder Kelly Witherspoon led off the game with a double. An out later, Self hit a batter. San Juan Arias singled to load the bases, then Self walked home a run, giving up a free pass to Bryce Morrison. Designated hitter Jimmy Walker then cleared the bases with a double.

In the second, an error, two singles and a groundout led to three runs for the Steelers.

Self went one-plus innings, giving up seven runs after facing just 11 batters. He allowed five hits and two walks, while striking out one.

Justin Hampson relieved for the Caps, but didn't fare much better. He gave up four runs (two in the fourth and two in the fifth) on eight hits. He also struck out one.

Kress, Todd and Tommy Bolen provided the hits.