Capahas' season ends with two quick losses at NBC World Series

The Plaza Tire Capahas didn't last long during their 30th consecutive appearance at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Manager Jess Bolen's squad lost its first two games at the 77th annual tournament. The defeats came within a span of about 15 hours.

The Capahas began the 32-team double-elimination event with a 7-3 loss to the St. Joseph (Mo.) Mustangs in a game that began at 10:28 p.m. Sunday.

They were back on the field for a 10:30 a.m. Monday elimination contest, where they saw the Austin (Texas) Gold Sox score four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to win 7-6.

"It's tough, having to play two games that close together in this heat, but I'm not making any excuses," said Bolen, whose squad finished the summer 23-7 to give him a 45-year record of 1,407-379.

Although the Capahas had another impressive season, they have struggled recently at the NBC World Series. Plaza Tire is 1-6 during its past three trips to the prestigious tournament.

"You're always in that position when you lose that first game," Bolen said of the possibility of a two-and-out performance.

Monday's setback that sent the Capahas packing was a bitter pill to swallow as four errors caused five of Austin's seven runs to be unearned.

The Gold Sox (18-5-1) had just one earned run during their four-run ninth inning, thanks to three errors by the Capahas.

"That's one of those games that just makes you sick to your stomach. It just tears you up," Bolen said. "It was one of those give-away games. We should have won it, but we just didn't do it."

Capahas reliever Trent Wise delivers a pitch during Monday's game against the Austin Gold Sox.

Plaza Tire got a three-run double by Dustin Hunter in the top of the fifth inning to grab a 3-0 lead.

Austin tied the score in the sixth -- two of the three runs were unearned due to an error -- before the Capahas went back ahead with a three-run eighth inning.

That 6-3 advantage was wiped out in the bottom of the ninth. Along with the three errors, the Gold Sox had four hits, including a one-out solo home run by Jonathan Gonzales that made it 6-4.

"We struck out the first batter and then they hit a homer, but no big deal. We were still in good shape," Bolen said.

Two errors followed on what Bolen said were routine plays, one a three-base error on a fly ball to right field that was dropped and one a ground ball to third base that resulted in a wide throw.

ABOVE: The Capahas' Tyler Qualls singles during the eighth inning against the Austin Gold Sox during their NBC World Series elimination game Monday in Wichita, Kan. TOP: The Capahas' Jake Pewitt slides home safely during the fifth inning. (WAYNE MCPHERSON ~ Special to the Southeast Missourian)

"The game should have been over right there," Bolen said. "We played a good game until that last inning."

The Gold Sox later had two singles along with another Plaza Tire error to tie the contest. They won it on a two-out walk-off RBI single by Jordan Etier as his long fly ball to center field could not be tracked down.

Plaza Tire starter Jordan Underwood pitched 8 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and six runs -- two earned. He struck out three and walked five. He threw 137 pitches in temperatures that surpassed 100 degrees.

"Jordan pitched his butt off. He should have won the game," Bolen said.

Trent Wise was charged with the unearned winning run and took the loss. He allowed two hits and recorded one out.

James Leigh, who replaced Wise, walked a batter and gave up the hit to Etier that ended the contest.

Both teams had nine hits but Austin committed just one error. Sean Bard, Jordan Kimball and Jake Pewitt led the Capahas with two hits apiece. Pewitt and Blake Slattery added RBIs.

Sunday night loss

The Capahas got off to a slow start in their first tournament game that ended at 12:44 a.m. Monday. They never recovered.

St. Joseph, fourth at last year's World Series, led 7-0 after four innings. The Mustangs (35-10) scored twice in the second inning, once in the third and four times in the fourth.

The Capahas did not get on the scoreboard until the sixth inning. They added their final two runs in the eighth.

"They're a very good team," said Bolen, whose club did not commit an error.

Plaza Tire was outhit 11 to 7. Pewitt and Ky Burgess both had two hits for the Capahas. Burgess tripled and drove in two runs. Kody Campbell had the Capahas' other RBI. Kimball scored twice.

Brad LaBruyere was the losing pitcher. He allowed eight hits and seven runs, all earned, in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked three.

"Brad just didn't have it," Bolen said. "That doesn't happen very often with Brad."

Zack Outman, a tournament pickup for the Capahas, worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, struck out three and walked two.

Wise finished with two scoreless innings, allowing one hit.

Jayson Huett notched the victory, giving up six hits and three earned runs in eight innings. He struck out seven and walked three.