Capahas' Smith turns in another complete performance

~ The Capahas lefty held Fairview Heights to seven hits in a 3-2 win Friday night

Zack Smith wasn't quite as dominant this time.

But Smith continued his stellar pitching Friday night as the Plaza Tire Capahas edged the visiting Fairview Heights (Ill.) Redbirds 3-2.

"Nothing like last week," Smith said with a smile.

Smith was coming off a five-hit shutout of the St. Louis Printers the previous Friday during which the left-hander struck out 17 and did not issue a walk.

Capahas second baseman Dylan Drury fields a ground ball during Friday’s game against Fairview Heights.

Smith struck out seven and again walked none while allowing seven hits during his most recent gem. One of the two runs he gave up was unearned.

"Two games in a row without a walk. I'm real happy about that," said Smith, who pitched his first season at Southeast Missouri State this year after transferring from junior college. "I was getting ahead of the hitters again."

What also pleased Smith (2-0) was that he fired off his second consecutive nine-inning complete game. In three starts covering 23 innings, he has allowed one earned run and 13 hits while striking out 32 and walking four.

"It's the first time in my life I've had back-to-back nine-inning complete games," Smith said. "I hope I can build off this."

Smith, who said he primarily threw fastballs with some changeups mixed in, has a familiar face behind the plate in catcher Shane Blair.

Blair, like Smith, played his first season at Southeast this year after transferring from junior college. They are rooming together this summer.

"We're comfortable with each other. I love throwing to him," Smith said.

The feeling is mutual, according to Blair.

"We know each other well. We've become close off the field," Blair said. "When he's on, he's tough to hit."

Capahas manager Jess Bolen said it has helped Smith that his last two starts have been at night and in conditions that were less than sweltering. But that shouldn't detract from his accomplishments.

"It hasn't been 95 degrees. That helps," Bolen said. "But you don't see two straight nine-inning complete games very often. I thought Zack was in control all night.

"He got ahead of the hitters. To have two straight nine-inning games without a walk and no hit batters is remarkable. I thought he and Shane worked well together."

Blair also led the Capahas offensively with a pair of doubles to account for one-third of their six hits. He pulled both doubles to left field, including one off the wall.

"I got two pitches middle in that I turned on," Blair said about his first doubles for the Capahas.

Fairview Heights starter Mike McDonough also was stout, allowing four hits and two runs over seven innings. He struck out nine, walked one and hit four batters.

"He did a good job for them," said Bolen, whose squad has won two of three meetings against the Redbirds this year with one more matchup to go.

The Redbirds used two hits in the fourth inning to go ahead 1-0. The run was unearned due to a throwing error.

The Capahas took the lead for good with two runs in a fifth inning that featured three of their six hits.

Blair led off with a double. Courtesy runner Logan Bartels scored on a one-out single by Brandon Bennett.

Cole Bieser walked and Jordan Kimball was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dylan Drury drew a two-out walk to force home Bennett with the go-ahead tally.

The Capahas added their final run in the eighth inning, which would loom large. Jason Blum singled with one out and scored on Blair's double off the wall.

Fairview Heights sliced the deficit to 3-2 in the ninth inning with two hits. The Redbirds had the tying run on third base, but Smith nailed down the victory with a strikeout.

Fairview Heights 000 100 001 -- 2 7 0

Capahas 000 020 01x -- 3 6 2

WP -- Zack Smith. LP -- Mike McDonough. 2B -- Jesse Schmidt (FH), Brad Dunnigan (FH), Shane Blair (C) 2. Multiple hits -- Fairview Heights: Schmidt 3-4, Dunnigan 2-4. Capahas: Blair 2-4. Records -- Capahas 13-2.