Capahas stop Outlaws

Plaza Tire Capahas manager Jess Bolen is still trying to schedule one more game before his team plays in the National Baseball Congress World Series.

But if the Capahas did close out their regular season Sunday, they ended it with a bang.

The Capahas posted their 26th and 27th victories by sweeping a doubleheader from the visiting Indiana Outlaws.

Plaza Tire romped 10-0 in the opener, which was stopped in the bottom of the sixth inning by the 10-run mercy rule, then had a tougher time in the nightcap before winning 4-2.

"We're playing well and we're on a good roll," said Capahas third baseman Daryl Graham, who had a monster day offensively. "It was a good two games for us."

A throw eluded Outlaws first baseman Tim Turpin as the Capahas' Daryl Graham crossed the bag with an infield single during the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at Capaha Field. (Kit Doyle)

The Capahas (27-5) will make their 26th consecutive appearance in the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., which runs from July 29 through Aug. 12. Plaza Tire has won seven straight games.

Bolen does not yet know when his squad will begin play in the tournament, but it's not likely to be on the opening day. He'd love to schedule one more game for later this week.

"I'm going to work on that tonight," Bolen said before leaving Capaha Field late Sunday afternoon. "I'd love to play a game Thursday before we head to Wichita."

What pleased Bolen the most about Sunday's games was getting five pitchers much-needed work.

"What I liked about today is I was able to use five pitchers and still win a doubleheader," Bolen said.

Capahas left fielder Zach Johnson held an Outlaws hitter to a double with a quick play to the left field corner during game one at Capaha Park on Sunday, July 22, 2007. (Kit Doyle)

What Graham liked the most about Sunday was that he quickly bounced back from Saturday's hitless performance during a doubleheader at Valmeyer, Ill., although the Capahas won both games handily.

Graham went 4-for-4 -- including a triple -- and drove in six runs during the lopsided opener.

Graham came back with a two-run double in the first inning of the nightcap for his fifth consecutive hit. He finished the day 5-for-6 with a walk and eight RBIs.

"It was good to come out like this after not getting a hit yesterday," Graham said. "I just shortened my swing and I felt great."

The first-game runs made it easy for Jason Chavez and Jamie McAlister, who combined for a two-hit shutout.

Capahas left fielder Zach Johnson threw to the infield after fielding a ball in the corner during Sunday's game.

Chavez notched the win to increase his team-best record to 8-0. He allowed one hit over the first three innings, while striking out three and hitting a batter.

McAlister, who is 4-0, earned a save with three one-hit innings. He fanned three and, like Chavez, issued no walks.

Designated hitter Asif Shah, first baseman Zach Blemker and left fielder Zach Johnson each had two hits. The Capahas had 13 hits overall.

The Capahas had much more trouble offensively in the nightcap against the Outlaws (36-16), who are based out of Evansville, Ind.

Plaza Tire managed just three hits off Andrew Gher, who plays Division I baseball at the University of Evansville -- but as a catcher and not a pitcher.

"That's the way it goes a lot of times. You score a bunch of runs the first game, and then struggle to score the second game," Bolen said.

The Outlaws helped the Capahas with three errors that accounted for three unearned runs.

Plaza Tire's lone earned run of the contest came courtesy of Blemker, who broke a 2-2 tie with a two-out home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Capahas added an insurance run in the frame.

"I just saw it out of his [Gher[']s] hand and tried to drive it," Blemker said of his shot over the right-field fence. "I hit it well, but I didn't think it would go out."

Three pitchers combined for a three-hitter.

Starter Anthony Maupin allowed one run and one hit in three innings. He struck out four, walked none and hit a batter.

Stan Skakalsi (1-0), who joined the squad midway through the season, received credit for his first Capahas victory.

In two innings, Skakalski allowed one run and one hit. He fanned one, walked one and hit a batter.

Josh Parham earned a save with two dominant shutout innings. He gave up one hit, with six strikeouts and no walks.

"I thought everybody today threw pretty well," Bolen said. "All those guys needed to get some work."

While the Outlaws committed three errors in each game, the Capahas played errorless ball until their lone miscue with two outs in the final inning of the nightcap.

"It was a good day for us," Blemker said. "We're ready for Wichita."