CAPAHAS KNOCK OFF A's TO CLAIM SERIES

Bogey was certainly above par Sunday afternoon.

Chad Bogenpohl -- a former Southeast Missouri State University pitcher out of Oak Ridge -- gave up just one run in 6 2/3 innings as the McDowell Capahas defeated the Clarinda (Iowa) A's 4-3 in the rubber game of a three-game weekend series at Capaha Field.

"I thought Bogenpohl threw a great game," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen. "I figured him for about five innings today. He hasn't thrown a lot yet and he's missed a little with the rain. But he gets you two outs in the seventh inning so he gives you 1 2/3 innings above what you expected."

Bogenpohl got roughed up in the first inning on two singles and an RBI groundout, but held Clarinda (15-14) at bay for the rest of his outing. He allowed eight hits, but didn't allow a walk. He struck out four.

The Capahas (17-5) took advantage of some mistakes in the fourth inning to push three runs across. Cory Crosnoe led off the inning with a single, Darin Kinsolving reached on an error and Phil Warren and Chris Sledge each walked. Sledge's walk drove in a run, Shane Allen provided an RBI single and Sledge scored on an error off the bat of Nathan Taylor.

"To tell you the truth, we made a few mistakes of our own," said Bolen. "Overall, I'm pleased that we won two out of three from a good team. But we're just not playing fundamentally sound enough to suit me. We're not making big mistakes, just some little things things you'll have to do to win games in Wichita (site of the National Baseball Congress World Series)."

The Capahas added an insurance run a run they would end up needing in the seventh when Crosnoe walked and came home on an RBI single by Sledge.

Things got interesting in the top of the ninth. With Matt Palmer on the mound for the Capahas, the A's got three doubles in the inning to plate two. Palmer made a perfect pitch on the outside corner for strike three.

Palmer, who relieved Bogenpohl, ended up striking out the side in the ninth with the tying run at second base.

"Isn't it funny how you always have to have the tying or winning run at the plate in the ninth inning," Bolen said. "It seems it always works out that way."

Both teams ended up with eight hits. Crosnoe had two singles, a walk and two runs scored for the Capahas. Sledge singled and walked and had two RBIs.

Dickie Gonzalez suffered the loss for Clarinda. He went four innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks. He struck out six and hit a batter.

Late Saturday night, the Caps dropped the second game of a doubleheader 4-1. Lanson DeBrock suffered the loss.