Capahas' season ends with thud

The Plaza Tire Capahas experienced a rare brief stay at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

For one of the few times in their history, the Capahas lost their first two games in the tournament.

The Capahas were bounced from the double-elimination event Thursday as the Game Time (La.) Rockies posted a 6-0 victory.

That came after the Capahas suffered a 9-2 defeat at the hands of the Hays (Kan.) Larks in their first tournament contest Wednesday.

"It's been a long time since we've gone out there and lost our first two, I think something like 10 years," said Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen, whose team finished the season with a 20-12 record. "You don't want that to happen."

As was the case against Hays, Plaza Tire could not muster much offense Thursday.

Plaza Tire managed just five hits against the Rockies, all singles. The Capahas also had only five hits against the Larks.

"To score one earned run in two games, you expect more than that," Bolen said.

The Capahas had few quality scoring opportunities Thursday as they stranded more than one runner in only one inning, the eighth. Plaza Tire left six stranded in the contest.

Denver Stuckey, Matt Wagner, Josh Eftink, Tyrell Cummings and Garrett Stevens had hits for the Capahas.

The Rockies, who improved to 2-1 in the tournament, were not overwhelming offensively with eight hits. But their hits were more timely and they also took advantage of a key error to turn the tide in their favor.

Four unearned runs in the top of the fourth inning gave the Rockies a 4-0 lead.

A pair of one-out singles and a two-out walk loaded the bases. Plaza Tire's only error of the day, which would have been the third out, allowed the first run to score.

Jordan Marks followed with the game's key blow, a three-run double.

"That error hurt because Ryan Poole was pitching really good," Bolen said. "To get down four runs, it made things tough, especially the way their guy was pitching."

The Rockies padded their advantage in the fifth inning on a two-run single by Corey Dickerson that completed the game's scoring.

A six-run advantage was more than enough for left-hander Jamey Bradshaw, who went all nine innings. He struck out three and walked one.

"Even though they were playing their third game out here, he was their ace. He just rolled in [to Wichita] last night," Bolen said. "He was really good. He had a good curve, good control and he threw about 88, 89 [mph].

"I told the guys I think it was more him than us today."

Poole suffered the loss. He allowed six hits and all six runs, two earned, while striking out three and walking two in 4 1/3 innings.

Dustin Hunter, the second of three Plaza Tire hurlers, allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings, with three strikeouts and one walk.

"He really looked good," Bolen said.

Ross Hagger, picked up for the tournament, worked a scoreless ninth inning.

Bolen said it was a strange season for the Capahas as several key players they counted on having never suited up for various reasons.

"It seemed like we'd take a step forward and then take a step back," Bolen said. "We just never jelled, it seemed like."