Capahas take the Bulls by the horns in weekend series

The Burger King Capahas and St. Louis Bulls met for the fifth and sixth times in the last 20 days on Saturday and the outcome was no different than the other four contests.

The Capahas swept the doubleheader at Capaha Field, beating the Bulls 9-0 and 6-1.

"The team had a pretty good day today. We put up a lot of runs today, threw well," center fielder Josh Haggerty said. "We've played these guys a lot of times, so we kind of knew what they had coming into it, but overall I think we all played pretty well today. ... We've seen all their pitchers just about, so we all know what to expect nowadays."

The Capahas, who also defeated the Bulls Friday night, outscored the Bulls 27-1 in their three games this weekend.

"Today with a limited amount of players -- we only had 12 guys -- to play a doubleheader in this heat, yeah, I'm proud of them," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said, "because I've played in it before myself and it's miserable sometimes."

The Capahas' Garret Reynolds doubles against the Raging Bulls during the third inning in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday at Capaha Field. The Capahas swept the doubleheader, winning 9-0 and 6-1.Fred Lynch

The Capahas recorded 10 hits in each game Saturday. They led 2-0 after one inning in Game 1, added a run in the third and three apiece in the fourth and fifth.

Haggerty went 3-for-4 with two triples, two runs and an RBI while Alex Heuring went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs and three RBIs.

Drew Morecraft and Chase Simmons each doubled and drove in a run.

The Bulls took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning of the second game, but the Capahas took the lead for good on a two-run double by Haggerty in the home half. Tyler Qualls drove him in to make it 3-1 after two.

Garret Reynolds had an RBI single in the third, and two more runs scored when the Bulls' right fielder misplayed a ball hit by Haggerty for a three-base error.

"You can never tell about your hitting because you're not facing the kind of pitching like we're going to have to face like in the tournament next weekend at Valmeyer," Bolen said. "But these guys are capable. You can only do what you do against who you're playing. They're capable of hitting the ball well against anybody, we'll just see."

Ross James started and pitched five innings in Game 1 to pick up the win. He struck out six. Haggerty and Heuring each pitched an inning of relief, striking out one and three, respectively.

"I was a little surprised when I brought in Heuring -- he can throw it up there pretty good, hits 90 in college -- and also Haggerty," Bolen said. "These kids don't throw very much, maybe an inning here or there, but they've got good arms, so I'm not afraid to use them in situations."

Ebon Brooks secured the win in Game 2, allowing one run on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts.

Calvin Lovig gave up two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out two in two scoreless innings of relief.

The Capahas (8-1) will play in the eight-team Valmeyer Tournament over Fourth of July weekend.

They open the tournament against Millstadt, Illinois, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

"I don't think any coach is ever satisfied," Bolen said. "I'm not satisfied by a long shot. I think we're 8-1, but it means nothing to me. It means you play well enough to win. It doesn't mean you play great or anything. But I'm looking forward to that tournament over the Fourth and seeing where we stand a little bit there because I know what's waiting for us in Wichita, [Kansas, at the NBC Tournament]."

Game 1

Bulls 000 000 0 -- 0 3 1

Capahas 201 330 X -- 9 10 0

WP -- Ross James. 2B -- Drew Morecraft (C), Chase Simmons (C). 3B -- Haggerty 2 (C). HR -- Alex Heuring (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Haggerty 3-4, Simmons 2-4, Heuring 3-4.

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Game 2

Bulls 010 000 0 -- 1 9 2

Capahas 033 000 X -- 6 10 1

WP -- Ebon Brooks. LP -- Tony Magnan. 2B -- Josh Haggerty (C), Kyle James (C), Kelby Brown (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Garret Reynolds 2-3.