CAPAHAS RALLY TO VICTORY

It's doubtful that any of the Craftsman Union Capahas were disappointed with the pitching change that took place entering the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday night.

Gordon Dugan, an impressive left-hander for the Saline County (Ill.) Monarchs, fired seven shutout innings at the Capahas as his team led 3-0 entering the bottom of the eighth.

But after throwing plenty of pitches, Dugan had apparently had enough, so the Monarchs went to their bullpen.

"He had good control with all of his pitches," said Capahas shortstop Denver Stuckey. "I was glad to see him out of the game."

Without Dugan to contend with, the Capahas exploded with a six-run eighth -- taking the lead for good on Stuckey's two-out grand slam -- as they posted an exciting 6-3 victory at Capaha Field.

The Capahas improved to 14-6 while the Monarchs fell to 14-15.

"Dugan had a nice moving fastball and good stuff. I thought he was great," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen. "I wasn't sad to see him out of there.

"I've done that, when a pitcher has had enough, you just have to get him out of there. And I've seen it a lot, even in the big leagues, when a new pitcher comes in and then the other team takes the lead and wins the game."

In the decisive eighth, Josh Roach replaced Dugan on the mound and promptly hit leadoff batter Tristen McDonald, but Roach struck out Chris Sledge.

Dave Lawson ripped a shot up the middle that bounced off Roach's glove for an infield single. Roach then walked Scott Reinagel to load the bases and a walk to Dan Berry forced in a run that finally got the Capahas on the scoreboard and kept the sacks filled.

On came Jay Winters to pitch. After falling behind Tom Bolen 3-0, Winters came back to 3-1 and then got Bolen to pop up to the catcher for the second out.

Up to the plate stepped leadoff batter Stuckey. Winters fell behind 2-0, made it 2-1 and then threw a fastball. Stuckey deposited it over the left-field fence for a 5-3 Craftsman Union lead.

"I was pretty sure it was out," said a smiling Stuckey. "But I don't hit enough of them to feel too comfortable."

The Capahas tacked on an insurance tally as Shawn Yarbrough tripled and scored on a wild pitch. All told, 11 Capahas came to the plate in the decisive frame.

Dugan scattered seven hits while striking out 11 and walking three before coming out after seven innings.

"We were lucky to win the game," said Jess Bolen. "If their starter hadn't thrown so many pitches and was still fresh enough to go, it would have been tough. I was really impressed with him."

With the Capahas getting ready for the tough eight-team Valmeyer (Ill.) Tournament that begins this weekend and runs through the fourth of July, Bolen used six hurlers and they combined on a five-hitter.

Starter Lanson Debrock, who went two innings, gave up two runs in the first, both of them unearned. Saline County's Jake Allen had a solo homer in the frame.

Brent Self worked two scoreless frames and Brad Purcell, who went two innings, allowed a run in the sixth as the Monarchs went up 3-0.

James Beever pitched a perfect seventh and Aaron Gurley, who received credit for the victory, worked a scoreless eighth. Kyle Perry notched a save by fanning the side in the ninth.

Lawson had three of the Capahas' 11 hits. Stuckey and Yarbrough added two each.