Capahas sweep aside Riverdogs with two routs

Craftsman Union rolls to 12-0, 11-4 victories.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

After barely squeezing out a doubleheader sweep last Sunday, the Craftsman Union Capahas left no doubt during Saturday night's rematch with the Riverdogs.

The all-Cape Girardeau battle was a one-sided affair as the Capahas rolled 12-0 and 11-4 at Capaha Field. The first game was stopped after six innings on the 10-run rule.

The Capahas improved to 14-1. The Riverdogs, who lost 2-1 and 2-0 to Craftsman Union last Sunday, fell to 5-8.

"We swung the bats a lot better today than we did against them the last time," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

Craftsman Union managed just 10 hits during the previous doubleheader. Facing the same pair of starters Saturday -- Bobby Landers and Tatum Kitchen -- the Capahas fared much better with 20 hits.

But the Riverdogs continued to struggle against the Craftsman Union hurlers. After being held to just four hits during the previous twin bill -- including being no-hit by Jon Nourie -- the Riverdogs had just six hits Saturday.

Jason Chavez pitched his second straight complete-game victory over the Riverdogs. Following up last Sunday's four-hitter in a 2-1 win, Chavez blanked the Riverdogs in the six-inning opener by allowing just two hits. He struck out five and walked three.

"I had some control problems but I did what I could," Chavez said. "My arm didn't feel as good as it usually does, but getting all those runs helped. The six spot in the first inning was nice."

The Capahas supported Chavez with a six-run opening frame and never looked back. Landers took the loss, allowing seven runs (six earned) and seven hits in four innings.

Craftsman Union had nine hits in the opener and took advantage of four errors by the Riverdogs. Lance Seasor had two hits and drove in three runs while Dave Lawson and Wade Hansford both added two hits. Hansford, Gary Gilbert and Jon Payne all had two RBIs.

Nourie struggles early

In the second game, Nourie could not come close to duplicating his previous gem as he was hurt by wildness. Nourie allowed three runs and two hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking eight.

Nathan Baker came on to get the victory, giving up one run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked six, meaning the Riverdogs were issued a whopping 14 free passes in the contest. But they were not able to fully capitalize.

Kitchen suffered the loss, allowing eight runs (six earned) and seven hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked three.

The Capahas had nine hits and again benefited from four Riverdog errors. Josh Eftink led the way with three hits and two RBIs. Hansford again had two hits.

Also getting two hits and delivering three RBIs in the second game was Michael Troth, Bolen's grandson and a recent high school graduate who made his Capahas debut over the weekend.

Eftink joined Hansford in getting four hits during the two games.

Mark Fisher had two of the Riverdogs' six hits during the doubleheader.

The Capahas return to action today, hosting the St. Louis Golden Spikes in a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader.