Capahas suffer first loss of season to St. Joseph

The Plaza Tire Capahas suffered their first loss of the summer baseball season on Friday night, falling 3-2 at St. Joseph, Mo.

St. Joseph scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning, answering the Capahas' tying tally scored in the top of the frame.

Jason Chavez suffered the loss for Plaza Tire (8-1). He pitched eight innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out 11. Two of the runs he allowed were earned.

"He really pitched great," Capahas coach Jess Bolen said. "I was really proud of him."

Chavez had struck out seven in a perfect run through the first five innings.

St. Joseph broke through against Chavez in the sixth with two doubles to produce a run.

Jerry Gray carried his no-hit bid for St. Joseph (14-4) into the seventh inning.

But in that frame, the Capahas produced their first run. Josh Eftink singled, moved to third on Wade Walter's double and scored on Bryan Kurt's fielder's choice.

After St. Joseph took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, the Capahas tied the game in the eighth. Levi Olson doubled, moved to third on a bunt and scored on Seth Hudson's fielder's choice.

A leadoff walk in the eighth contributed to the winning run for St. Joseph.

The game was played in a swift hour and 55 minutes.

The teams play a doubleheader today beginning at 5 p.m.

Cape Legion loses

The Cape Girardeau Ford & Sons American Legion baseball team committed seven errors and lost Friday in the Cason Classic in Blytheville, Ark.

Marissa, Ill., posted a 10-7 victory against Cape Girardeau in the opening game of the four-team round-robin tournament.

Jason Umfleet took the lost for Cape, allowing six runs -- four earned -- in 3 1/3 innings. Michael Taylor pitched the final 2 2/3, allowing four runs -- two earned.

Scott Brueckner and Sean Bard each had two hits. Zac Horman added Cape's only other hit and drove in two runs. Cory Huskey also drove in a run.

Cape (5-11) plays host Blytheville 3 p.m. today and closes out the tournament Sunday against Dunklin County.

-- From staff reports