CAPAHAS MAKE QUICK WORK OF MONARCHS

Lanson DeBrock pitched an eight-inning gem and the Capahas needed just two hours to knock off the Monarchs -- an all-star team comprised of players from Goreville and Saline County -- in a 4-1 pitchers' duel Friday night.

The Caps (28-8) took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back doubles by Steve Kress and Darin Kinsolving. Then they added two insurance runs on three hits in the eighth when hurler Chad McCamm got a little tired.

But McCamm -- with the Capahas playing with wooden bats -- dominated for most of the game. He allowed two runs on just three hits through the seventh inning. At one point, he faced 13 straight batters without giving up a hit. McCamm ended up allowing six hits.

DeBrock, meanwhile, was a bit more generous with the hits but was more stingy in the run department. DeBrock got into some trouble in the second and third innings, but got out of it with just one run despite five hits in the two frames. In all, DeBrock -- facing aluminum bats -- gave up eight hits, struck out five and walked none. He got better as the game went along, only allowing two hits past the third inning. He struck out the side in the eighth.

"Lanson threw really well for the third straight time," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen. "Any time you hold a team with aluminum bats to one run, you have to have good pitching and defense. The thing about Lanson is he has such good control. And he has three pitches. When he gets all three going, he's awful tough."

The Caps got off to a good start in the first inning when the newest member of the Capahas -- Cape Central graduate Ross Bennett -- singled and stole second. He went to third on a grounder and scored on a grounder off the bat of Steve Kress.

Bennett, who singled twice and was the only Cap with more than one hit, also figured into the scoring in the eighth. He and Tom Bolen each singled and scored. Zach Borowiak hit an RBI single to score Bolen and Bennett scored on an error.

Matt Palmer came in for the save in the ninth. He struck out two and walked a batter.

Dane Kerley led the offensive attack for the Monarchs. He went 3-for-4 with a double and a a run scored.

The Caps were supposed to play O.B. Clark Friday night, but the St. Louis team canceled.