CAPAHAS GO 3-1 IN TOURNEY

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The Craftsman Union Capahas won three games and lost one in pool play of a 12-team tournament and were still waiting to see late Saturday night if their performance was good enough to advance to the tournament semifinals today.

The Caps' record of 3-1 was tied for the best in the pool, but tournament rules say run-differential is the tie-breaker. The Caps beat the other 3-1 team head-to-head.

Jake Alley set a Capaha record for most strikeouts in a seven-inning game with 14 in the Caps' 8-7 first-round victory over Southern Illinois Friday night. Craftsman Union led 8-3 going into the final inning but Alley fatigued and Aaron Gurley picked up the save. Alley allowed seven runs, six earned, on nine hits and four walks.

Josh Eftink and Kevin Meyer both provided two-run singles in the Caps' five-run first inning. Dave Lawson and Chris Sledge both homered and Shawn Yarbrough had two hits.

A fabulous diving play by Denver Stuckey to his right preserved the win for the Caps. Stuckey dove and, from his belly, flipped to third base for a force out and save the game, Caps manager Jess Bolen said.

In the second game, against Lebanon, Ind., the Caps suffered a 5-4 loss in 10 innings.

Richie Phillips took the loss. He went 9 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on 11 hits and two walks. He fanned 10.

Meyer, Lawson and Sledge all had two hits. Lawson and Sledge both homered for the second straight game.

On Saturday, the Caps knocked off St. Wendle, Ind., 4-0 behind Brad Purcell's second shutout of the year. He went all seven innings and allowed four hits and three walks while striking out seven.

The Capahas managed five hits. Sledge and Tristen McDonald both had two RBIs apiece.

Craftsman Union capped off its play Saturday with a 12-1 victory over Kokomo, Ind. The Caps scored eight runs in the first inning and coasted to victory.

Stuckey had two hits, both doubles, while Yarbrough, Steve Kress and Lawson had two hits apiece as well.

"We're playing some good baseball right now," Bolen said. "Our pitching is good and we pretty much knew it would be. But now we're starting to get some offense."