Capahas secure third straight regional title

~ Plaza Tire defeats Pine Bluff 13-3 in championship game.

The Plaza Tire Capahas' third consecutive National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional title did not come without any speed bumps.

But there was no stopping the Capahas once they survived Friday's opening-round thriller in the four-team, double-elimination event.

Plaza Tire puncuated its Mid-South Regional three-peat on Sunday by rolling past the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 13-3 at Capaha Field.

"It's always exciting to win a championship," Plaza Tire's Asif Shah said.

The victory, which was secured in the bottom of the seventh inning by way of the 10-run mercy rule, earns the Capahas an automatic bid to the NBC World Series.

The Capahas (23-5) will make their 26th consecutive NBC World Series appearance. The event runs July 30 through Aug. 12 in Wichita, Kan.

"It's great any time you can win a championship," said Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen, who recorded his 1,300th career victory. "I've felt good about this team all year, and they deserve it.

"We have talent and enthusiasm, and they love playing together. You never know about what might happen in Wichita, but I feel like we have the potential to do very well."

Plaza Tire did not face any close calls in capturing regional crowns the previous two seasons.

That was certainly not the case this year. The Capahas trailed Springfield virtually the entire way Friday night before posting a 6-5, 10-inning victory.

"If we lose that game, we have to win four in a row," said Zach Johnson, named the tournament's most valuable player. "It changes everything."

Said Bolen: "It was tougher this year. A win like that in the first game of the tournament kind of propels you."

It propelled the Capahas to a pair of lopsided wins. They run-ruled the Charleston Riverdogs 13-3 in seven innings on Saturday before disposing of the Braves.

The Capahas built an 8-1 lead through three innings, endured a rain delay of nearly 90 minutes prior to the top of the fourth and then closed out Pine Bluff, which had won two straight after dropping Friday's tournament opener.

"You have to give some credit to Pine Bluff," Bolen said. "It's tough to lose that first game and come back through the loser's bracket like they did."

Jason Chavez, Plaza Tire's wins leader who entered the game with an 0.97 ERA, pitched all seven innings to improve to 7-0.

Chavez allowed four hits and two earned runs. He struck out 10, walked one and hit a batter.

"It's always nice to be able to pitch in a championship game," said Chavez, who fired a no-hitter in last year's regional opener for the Capahas. "My arm felt as good as it has all year."

Chavez allowed his only two earned runs in the top of the fourth inning immediately after the lengthy delay, but he was dominant after that.

"Obviously the rain delay messes with you," he said. "But one thing I never have to worry about with these guys is run support and defense."

Said Bolen: "You feel pretty good with a guy like Jason on the mound in the championship game."

The Capahas had 11 hits, led by Shah and Jordan Payne with three apiece. Payne doubled twice and drove in two runs, while Shah delivered four RBIs.

Johnson had two hits and three RBIs. Daryl Graham celebrated his 23rd birthday with two doubles.

Plaza Tire also benefited from eight walks and five hit batters.

After winning twice Saturday to reach the championship round, the Braves would have needed to beat the Capahas twice on Sunday in order to claim the title.

But Pine Bluff dug itself an early hole as Plaza Tire scored four first-inning runs and added two more in the second for a 6-0 lead. The Braves got no closer than five runs the rest of the way.

"We finished the tournament really strong, which is what you always want to do," Bolen said.

Capahas 13, Pine Bluff 3, 7 innings

Pine Bluff 001 200 0 -- 3 4 3

Capahas 422 300 2 -- 13 11 2

WP -- Jason Chavez. LP -- Darius Williamson. 3B -- Keenan McCoy (PB). 2B -- Jordan Payne (C) 2, Daryl Graham (C) 2, Asif Shah (C), Levi Olson (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Shah 3-4, Payne 3-5, Graham 2-3, Zach Johnson 2-5.