Capahas improve to 9-0 with sweep

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union Capahas narrowly avoided their first loss of the season Sunday as they swept a doubleheader from host Springfield (Ill.) to remain undefeated.

After romping 15-4 in a first game that ended after five innings by the 10-run rule, the Capahas found themselves behind 5-4 entering their final regulation at-bat in the top of the seventh inning of the second game.

But the Capahas scored a run to tie the contest and force extra innings, then exploded for five runs in the ninth to win 10-5 and improve their record to 9-0.

"We came close to losing our first game, but we executed and got the game tied up," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

Justin Simpher (2-0) pitched all five innings to win the opener. He allowed six hits while striking out four and walking four. All of the runs off Simpher came in the first inning, but the Capahas were already far ahead by that point thanks to nine runs in the top of the first.

Lance Seasor went 3-for-3 to lead the Capahas' 12-hit attack. Josh Eftink had two hits, including the Capahas' first home run of the season, and he drove in two runs. Gary Gilbert doubled twice and had three RBIs while Dave Lawson added two hits.

Ricky Pecaut started the second game and worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five runs. Gilbert (1-0) went the rest of the way, striking out seven in 3 2/3 hitless innings. He walked two.

"I was really impressed with Gary's relief," Bolen said.

Brian Hopkins homered and had two of the Capahas' 10 hits. Gilbert and Tom Bolen each had two hits and two RBIs.

Craftsman Union returns to action Tuesday with a 5:30 p.m. contest at Saline County (Ill.). The Capahas' next home game is Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Cape Riverdogs.

Jackson Legion splits

Jackson's Sr. American Legion squad split a doubleheader at De Soto Sunday, losing 10-2 and winning 12-9. Jackson is now 8-2.

In the opener, Trevor Thompson had two of Jackson's three hits. Brandon Stearns was the losing pitcher.

Jason Meystedt had three hits and six RBIs in the second game while Tyler Profilet added three hits and three RBIs as Jackson had 10 hits. Josh Snell got the win, allowing four hits and two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Cape Sr. Babe Ruth splits

The Cape Girardeau Sr. Babe Ruth A's split a doubleheader at Dexter Sunday as they suffered their first loss of the season. Cape lost 12-2 and won 16-10.

In the victory, Cape (7-1) had 19 hits, led by Corey Huskey with four, including a homer. Chris Daniel and Mark Dunaway both had three hits while Ben Johnson and Cory Bowman added two each. Buddy Conrad was the winning pitcher.

Huskey had two of Cape's six hits in the loss. Chance Franklin was the losing hurler.

Cape Jr. Legion sweeps

The Cape Girardeau Cliff's Rent To Own Jr. American Legion team swept a doubleheader at Scott City Sunday, winning 7-4 and 12-7 in eight innings.

In the opener, Cape (10-4 overall, 2-1 District 14) had 11 hits, led by Zach Hudson with three and Scott Brueckner and Matt Hellrich with two each. Brueckner had three RBIs. Tyrone Reece pitched six innings for the win, allowing four runs. Brandon Cooper worked one scoreless inning.

Cape, trailing 6-2 entering the seventh inning of the second game, rallied for four runs to force extra innings, then scored six more in the eighth to break things open.

Tony Lueckel led an 18-hit attack with three. Brueckner, Cooper, Jeff Beard, Anthony Wulfers, Stuart Doyle and Zach Gowin all added two hits. Cooper was the winner in relief, allowing one run in two innings. Gowin worked two scoreless innings.

-- From staff reports