Capahas repeat as champs

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Behind two home runs by tournament MVP Brad Simmons, the Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union Capahas successfully defended their title by defeating Indianapolis 6-3 in the championship game of the Evansville Tournament Sunday.

The victory avenged a 6-3 loss earlier in the day to Indianapolis, which needed to wins over the Capahas, the only undefeated team remaining entering the title showdown.

Simmons staked winning pitcher Craig Ringwald (2-0) to a 2-0 lead in the second inning and added a solo blast in the sixth, which upped Cape's lead to 5-3 at the time. Simmons also had a fourth-inning double in going 3-for-3.

Denver Stuckey, who was 2-for-4, added a seventh-inning solo home run to conclude the scoring.

The Capahas took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the third but saw Indianapolis score all three of its runs to tie the game. Cape moved ahead 4-3 in the fourth and then added insurance with its two solo home runs.

Tommy Bolen added a pair of hits as the Capahas had 11 in the game.

Ringwald allowed just five hits, striking out six and walking three. His complete game was the sixth of the tournament for the Capahas, who went 6-1 in defending their title.

Justin Simpher suffered the loss in the first game.

Zach Borowiak and Simmons accounted for four of Cape's five hits as each went 2-for-3. Borowiak had a fifth-inning home run, which tied the game 3-3 at the time. Indianapolis countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

In a late game Saturday night, Cape defeated Saline County 8-1.