Capahas rally past Printers, go to 3-0

It's not that the Craftsman Union Capahas are expected to go undefeated this season.

But the Cape Girardeau baseball team certainly didn't want to be hit with a loss this early in the campaign.

For a while Saturday night, it looked like it would. But the Capahas rallied for two runs in their final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the St. Louis Printers 5-4 in the second game of a doubleheader.

The Capahas rolled 9-2 in the opener and recorded the sweep at Capaha Field. The same teams will square off again today at 1 p.m. in a scheduled doubleheader, although Capahas manager Jess Bolen said there is a chance only one nine-inning game will be played.

Regardless, Bolen was happy to see the Capahas remain perfect at 3-0. He was especially pleased to see such a well-played game so early in the season.

"It was a great ballgame, especially for this early," Bolen said. "There was good pitching, good defense. Both teams played really well."

Printers left-hander Kevin Sahrmann, after giving up three early runs, held the Capahas to just one hit from the third through the sixth innings as the St. Louis squad (3-3) rallied for a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

With one out, Tom Bolen walked, Tom Cigno singled and Denver Stuckey reached on an error to load the bases. Brian Hopkins then doubled to deep right-center, scoring Bolen and Cigno to end the contest.

"Their pitcher was tough," Tom Bolen said. "It didn't look good for a while, but it's nice to get the win."

Sahrmann struck out seven and walked two in 6 1/3 innings. He allowed seven hits.

Hopkins, after going 2-for-4 in the opener, went 3-for-4 in the second game. Tristen McDonald added two hits and two RBIs off Sahrmann.

Hard-throwing Jamie McAlister was the winner in relief. The right-hander allowed five hits but no runs in 2 2/3 innings, with four strikeouts and one walk.

"I didn't have my control," McAlister said. "I just threw it up there."

Starter Jason Chavez was strong early before tiring. In 4 1/3 innings, he allowed four hits and four runs (three earned), with three strikeouts and three walks.

Jake Tippee had three of the Printers' nine hits. Mark Peer homered.

The Capahas had little trouble in the opener, banging out 11 hits. Josh Eftink went 3-for-4 while Bolen matched Hopkins with two hits. Bolen also drove in three runs.

Aaron Gurley allowed four hits and two runs in six innings for the win. He struck out four and walked two. Justin Holmes finished up with a scoreless seventh, allowing one hit.

Through the first three games of the season, Jess Bolen is particularly impressed with the Capahas' deep and talented pitching staff.

"We've got a lot of good pitchers," Bolen said. "If we score five or six runs, I think we'll be tough to beat."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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