Capahas take third in tourney

Sean Bard took one for the team.

The Plaza Tire Capahas captured third place Monday at the Valmeyer, Ill., tournament with a 7-6 victory over the hosts.

Bard was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning to drive in the winning run. Bard finished 2 for 4 with four RBIs, including a two-run homer to dead center in the first.

Jamie McAllister, who went 3 for 4, started the eighth inning with a single. The Capahas loaded the bases when Daryl Graham was plunked by a pitch. In stepped Bard, who also got beaned.

Graham used his bat to make his presence felt, too. He smacked a two-run double in the sixth inning.

The Capahas collected 10 hits and committed one error. Jason Chavez earned the win in relief. He went four innings and struck out five. Cody Hafeli started for the Capahas and went the first five innings. He struck out two and walked one. Only one of the three runs he allowed was earned.

The Capahas played for third place after their 10-2 loss to Waterloo, Ill., on Sunday.

Brad LaBruyere took the loss after going 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked four. Jacob Wente pitched the final 1 2/3 innings.

Clint Cashen collected a pair of hits, including a run-scoring double. Cashen was the lone Capahas players with multiple hits.

The Capahas moved to 16-8 and will return to action when they host the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional from Friday through Sunday. They open the tournament against Pine Bluff, Ark., at 8 p.m. Friday.