Capahas use big sixth inning to post doubleheader sweep

The Plaza Tire Capahas avenged one of their two losses this season for the second consecutive day.

The Capahas swept a doubleheader from the visiting St. Louis Golden Spikes on Saturday, winning the opener 3-2 and staging a big rally to take the nightcap 10-6.

That came after the Capahas edged the visiting Fairview Heights (Ill.) Redbirds 3-2 on Friday night.

The Capahas had split two previous meetings with the Redbirds this year, while they were routed 14-4 at the Golden Spikes in their only previous matchup.

"These were good wins for us today because we played a good team," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said following Saturday's sweep. "They [the Golden Spikes] beat the heck out of us up there."

Capahas baserunner Jason Blum steals second base as Golden Spikes second baseman C.J. Rose takes the throw during the fourth inning Saturday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

The Capahas improved to 15-2, including 14-0 at home.

Jason Chavez pitched six innings for the victory in the opener. He allowed two hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight and walking three.

Kyle Marshall gave up a hit during a scoreless seventh inning to notch the save.

The Capahas scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to build a 3-0 lead. The Golden Spikes countered with two unearned runs in the sixth inning but got no closer.

Logan Bartels and Sean Bard each doubled and went 2 for 3 to pace the Capahas, who had seven hits. Bartels and Dylan Drury drove in runs.

Things did not look good for the Capahas for most of the second game. The Golden Spikes jumped on Dustin Hunter for four runs on four hits in the first inning.

"I haven't seen him hit around like that in a long time," Bolen said. "But they have some very good hitters."

The Golden Spikes led 6-2 when the Capahas exploded for eight runs on nine hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.

"Nine hits in one inning with wood bats, and their pitcher [Kit Crooks] had a no-hitter going into the fourth inning. He went through us like nothing," Bolen said.

Jason Blum led off the sixth inning with a triple and scored on Brandon Bennett's single. Shane Blair singled and Clayton Gibbons followed with an RBI single to make it 6-4.

After a sacrifice, Cole Bieser's two-RBI single tied things. Jordan Kimball singled and Drury's RBI single put the Capahas ahead for the first time in the game.

Bard belted a two-RBI triple and Blum rounded out the uprising with an RBI single.

The Capahas had 13 hits, led by Blum's 3-for 4-performance. Kimball, Bieser and Blair all went 2 for 4.

Bard had three RBIs. Bieser, Blair and Gibbons added two RBIs apiece.

"It was the best wood-bat game we've had all year," Bolen said.

Hunter, despite the early struggles, went all seven innings. He allowed nine hits and six earned runs while striking out 10 and walking two.

"He had a tough time early, but he stayed in the game," Bolen said. "When he kept the ball down they didn't touch it."

The Capahas stole seven bases in the two games, led by Bieser with three and Blum with two.

The Capahas conclude a busy weekend today with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at the Perryville Longhorns. The Capahas are 4-0 against Perryville this year.

(Game 1)

Golden Spikes 000 002 0 -- 2 3 2

Capahas 001 110 x -- 3 7 1

WP -- Jason Chavez. LP -- Ryan Dailey. 2B -- Mike Tallis (GS), Logan Bartels (C), Sean Bard (C). Multiple hits -- Golden Spikes: Tallis 2-3. Capahas: Bartels 2-3, Bard 2-3. Records -- Capahas 14-2.

(Game 2)

Golden Spikes 401 001 0 -- 6 9 1

Capahas 100 108 x -- 10 13 1

WP -- Dustin Hunter. LP -- Kit Crooks. HR -- C.J. Rose (GS). 3B -- Jason Blum (C), Sean Bard (C). 2B -- Spencer Day (GS) 2, Ryan Dailey (GS). Multiple hits -- Golden Spikes: Rose 3-4, Day 2-3. Capahas: Blum 3-4, Shane Blair 2-4, Cole Bieser 2-4, Jordan Kimball 2-4. Records -- Capahas 15-2.