CAPAHAS READY FOR NBC TOURNEY

McDowell Capahas manager Jess Bolen has naturally been disappointed with his team's performance in the National Baseball Congress World Series the past two years.

The Capahas have gone 0-2 in each of the last two seasons during the prestigious tournament in Wichita, Kan.

But Bolen believes the Capahas will have a solid chance to reverse that recent trend during the 2000 NBC World Series, which begins for them today with a 10:30 a.m. game against the Wichita Twins.

"It's been frustrating," said Bolen of the Capahas' last two trips to the NBC World Series. "We've had such good success out there in the past (finishing as high as fifth several times), but any time you go out there, it can happen. We drew some very tough opponents the last couple of years. We've played pretty good baseball, things just didn't work out.

"I think we've got a good team this year and I think we can do fairly decent out there. With a wooden bat tournament, it will be a new experience for everybody. I think with our defense and pitching, we can make some noise. But it all depends on how you play on that given day."

For the first time, the NBC World Series will be played with wood bats, meaning the numerous extremely high-scoring games of the past might only be a distant memory this time around.

The Capahas used wood bats most of the season in preparation for the national tournament and, although they compiled another stellar record --they're 31-8 -- their offensive output certainly was diminished by hitting with high-powered metal bats infrequently.

"It's just a lot different game with wood, especially if you're facing a good pitcher," Bolen said. "It's really hard to score runs against a good pitcher. There will definitely be a lot more low-scoring games out there than in the past."

Despite the switch to wood bats for much of the summer, several Capahas have still compiled impressive offensive seasons, led by Darin Kinsolving, who completed a record-setting career at Southeast Missouri State University this year.

Kinsolving leads the team in batting average (.423), home runs (9), runs batted in (35), runs scored (32), triples (4) and walks (25).

"Darin has had a tremendous season for us," said Bolen.

Other Capahas batting above .300 are Kevin Meyer (.331), Chris Sledge (.327), Steve Kress (.308), Phil Warren (.304) and Cory Crosnoe (.302).

Shane Allen, who has a .291 average, is second on the squad in homers (6) and third in RBIs (25). Warren is third in homers (4) and second in RBIs (32).

In the pitching department, leaders of a deep staff are Chad Bogenpohl (5-0, 1.75 earned-run average); Jeffrey Hilz (5-1, 2.63); Lanson Debrock (5-2, 2.05); Brent Self (4-3, 2 saves, 2.68); Matt Palmer (4-2, 4 saves, 4.80); Billy Huston (3-0, 3 saves, 1.16); Jerry Wolsey (3-0, 2.30); and Ronnie Lewallen (2-0, 4.42).

Bolen plans to start Hilz in today's contest, with a host of other hurlers also ready to go.

"I hope to get a good five innings out of Hilz and then we'll go from there," Bolen said.

If the Capahas win today, they'll play Monday against Denver, Colo. If the Capahas lose today, they'll return home and then head back out to Wichita next weekend for a loser's bracket game.