Capahas split two tournament games

After rolling through the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional last season, the Cape Girardeau Craftsman Union Capahas find themselves in a much different position following the opening weekend of play.

While the host Capahas are still in the running for their second consecutive regional championship, they are no longer in the driver's seat, thanks to Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Southern Illinois Merchants.

The Capahas, who had won their tournament opener Saturday, bounced back later Sunday to eliminate the Cape Girardeau Riverdogs 7-2 as the tournament's original field of six teams was sliced to three.

Southern Illinois and the Capahas both have one tournament loss while the Springfield (Mo.) Slashers, who did not play Sunday, are the only undefeated squad remaining. The tournament will resume Friday and conclude Saturday.

"We're just not hitting the ball," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

Neither team did much hitting in the game between the Capahas (24-7) and Merchants (21-13) that featured an impressive pitcher's duel.

The Merchants' Adam Hook allowed just three hits while striking out 12 and walking one.

Chavez strong again

Capahas' rookie Jason Chavez (6-1) continued his season-long strong mound work, allowing five hits, with 13 strikeouts and two walks.

After the Capahas grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Denver Stuckey, the Merchants tied it in the fifth.

That's the way things stood until the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Mark Armes doubled into the right-field corner. After Jeremy Kranawater was walked intentionally, Brandon Martin grounded a single into left field as the winning run scored comfortably.

"It was a tough way to lose, but it was a great ballgame with tremendous pitching on both sides," Bolen said. "I can't say enough about what Jason Chavez did. He's pitched great for us all year."

The Capahas wasted a golden opportunity when, leading 1-0, they had the bases loaded with nobody out in the fifth but failed to score.

The Capahas turned in a bit more offense in their next game, although they still only had six hits as they eliminated the Riverdogs (12-16), who went 2-2 in the tournament.

Craig Ringwald (3-0) pitched seven innings for the victory. He allowed three hits and an unearned run, with 11 strikeouts and three walks.

"Craig has really been pitching well for us lately," Bolen said.

Hopkins homers

Brian Hopkins homered for the Capahas while Zach Borowiak had two hits.

Tatum Kitchen took the loss for the Riverdogs, allowing just three hits but five runs (four earned) in six innings. The Riverdogs had seven hits, led by D-Ray Ivie and Mark Silverthorn with two each.

The Riverdogs had won their second straight tournament contest earlier Sunday as they routed the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 17-9 to avenge Saturday's 5-4 upset loss to the Braves.

Josh West homered and Brent Self pitched eight-plus innings for the victory.

The Riverdogs advanced to Sunday's action by eliminating the Fulton (Mo. ) Bandits 9-4 late Saturday night behind the strong pitching of Matt Stroup and a homer by Kitchen. Stroup went the distance, allowing seven hits and fanning 12.