Capahas offense fails to spark in opener

The Plaza Tire Capahas find themselves in an early hole during their 28th consecutive National Baseball Congress World Series appearance in Wichita, Kan.

Plaza Tire lost its tournament opener Wednesday, 9-2 against the Hays (Kan.) Larks.

The Capahas (20-11), who had a four-game winning streak snapped, fell into the losers bracket of the double-elimination event. They'll try to stay alive when they play the Game Time (La.) Rockies at 10:30 a.m. today.

"It's always tough to lose the first game out here," Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen said. "But we can come back and win some games. We've done it before."

While Wednesday's contest with the Larks ended in lopsided fashion, the Capahas actually led 2-1 after 4 1/2 innings.

Capahas infielder Denver Stuckey swings and misses for the second out against the Hays (Kan.) Larks during the third inning Wednesday in Wichita, Kan. (AARON EISENHAUER ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"We had a good game going there for five innings," Bolen said. "Brad [LaBruyere] was really pitching well, getting a lot of ground balls. Then all at once ground balls started finding holes.

"Really, it wasn't a 9-2 game. We had our chances, but honestly you have to put up more than two runs if you want to beat people out here."

LaBruyere, who has been the Capahas' top starter this year, allowed just two hits and an unearned run through four innings as Plaza Tire led 2-1.

The Larks (28-14), who have won nine straight, reached LaBruyere for two runs on four hits in the bottom of the fifth to go ahead 3-2.

LaBruyere (7-2) allowed two more runs on two hits and a walk without retiring a batter in the sixth inning before he was relieved by Cory Harness.

Capahas pitcher Brad LaBruyere rushes in to grab a high bouncing ground ball during the first inning against the Larks from Hays, Kansas on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita, Kansas.

LaBruyere's final numbers showed him giving up eight hits and five runs, four earned, in five-plus innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Hays broke things open in the late going. The Larks scored twice in the seventh inning off Harness and twice in the eighth off Kirk Boeller.

The Larks finished with 15 hits compared to only five for the Capahas, who had not played a game in more than a week.

"I'm hoping that playing today and getting four times at bat, our hitters will be a lot better tomorrow," Bolen said. "Being off for a while, not seeing live pitching, it makes a difference, especially when you face good pitching out here."

Hays starter Andrew Heck went eight innings and allowed just one earned run on five hits. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

ABOVE: Capahas pitcher Kirk Boeller receives a throw as he covers first base for the second out against the Larks during the eighth inning Wednesday at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita, Kan. (Aaron Eisenhauer ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"He was a big kid, not overpowering, but had good control," Bolen said.

Sean Bard went 2 for 2, including a double, for the Capahas.

Also getting two hits for Plaza Tire was Mike Tallis, who joined the team after playing for the St. Louis Golden Spikes during the regular season.

The Capahas took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Tallis led off the game with a single, stole second and scored on a one-out single by Matt Wagner.

Plaza Tire broke a 1-1 tie with its final run in the fourth inning. Tyrell Cummings, a former Southeast Missouri State star who joined the Capahas for the tournament, reached second on a one-out error. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Bard's sacrifice fly.

"The bottom line, we have to put up more runs," Bolen said. "I told the guys give me five runs and we'll see how we do."

Ryan Poole will start today against the Game Time (La.) Rockies, who already have played two games in the tournament. They opened with a 6-0 loss to the Southern California Bombers and came back to beat the Austin (Texas) Gold Sox 11-10.

If the Capahas win today, they'll play another elimination game Saturday.

Capahas 100 100 000 -- 2 5 1

Larks 001 022 22x -- 9 15 2

WP -- Andrew Heck. LP -- Brad LaBruyere. 3B -- Rafael Valenzula (L). 2B -- Sean Bard (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Bard 2-2, Mike Tallis 2-3; Larks, Ollie Goulder 3-4, Codi Harshman 2-3, Valenzula 2-4, Brandon Eckerle 2-4, Isaac Garcia 2-5.