Capahas win tight games vs. Riverdogs

~ Plaza Tire swept Sunday's doubleheader by a total of three runs.

The Plaza Tire Capahas continued their domination of the Charleston Riverdogs.

But rarely have wins over Charleston been more difficult than what transpired Sunday evening at Capaha Field.

Plaza Tire could have lost the opener, and probably should have dropped the nightcap.

Instead, the Capahas squeezed out a hard-fought doubleheader sweep, 4-2 and 4-3, in the seven-inning contests.

Capahas baserunner Sean Bard heads for home on a double by Matt Wagner against the Riverdogs in the fifth inning of the first game Sunday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch)

"We were lucky," Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen said.

The Capahas' good fortune means they are now 37-1 all-time against the Riverdogs, including 4-0 this season.

"I was thinking that you can only go to the well so many times," said Bolen, whose squad improved to 8-5 on the season and has won three straight.

Plaza Tire captured both games Sunday despite just three of its eight runs being earned, thanks to six Charleston errors.

The Capahas had a slight advantage at the plate, getting 16 hits compared to 14 for the Riverdogs.

"They were good ballgames, typical wood-bat games," Bolen said.

Pitcher Ryan Poole, who helped bail out the Capahas in the nightcap with stellar relief, said, "They played us real tough. They have progressed over the years since I've seen them play. They hit the ball pretty well and they had some good pitching."

After dropping the opener, the Riverdogs appeared poised to salvage a split and beat the Capahas for just the second time.

Shaky defense prevented the Riverdogs from getting that opportunity.

Trailing 3-0, Plaza Tire scored an unearned run in the third inning without the benefit of a hit, thanks to three Charleston errors.

The Capahas tied the score with two unearned runs in the fourth inning, with both scoring on a routine ground ball to second base that was booted with two outs.

"If they make those plays. ... you don't know what would have happened, but it might have been tough on us," Bolen said.

Plaza Tire's only earned run off Justin Simpher came in the sixth inning and broke the deadlock, although the Capahas didn't exactly hammer the ball.

With one out, Josh Eftink walked and John Amschler blooped a single to right field.

Kendal Deason followed with a pop fly to shallow right field that fell for a hit and scored pinch-runner Josh Parham.

Simpher, who pitched for the Capahas several years ago, allowed six hits in six innings. He struck out five and walked three.

"He's a good pitcher," Bolen said. "He won eight games for us one year."

Poole was the star for the Capahas. He relieved starter Jason Chavez with the bases loaded and two outs in the third inning after Charleston had scored three runs.

Poole escaped the jam with a strikeout, then worked the final four innings in shutout fashion. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four.

"He did an excellent job," Bolen said.

Poole said he was anxious to take the mound after missing out on a start Saturday, when a scheduled home doubleheader against the St. Louis Printers was changed to a single contest.

"I was supposed to start the second game yesterday, so I was ready to come in," Poole said. "I told skip [Bolen] I wanted to be the first one out there in relief tonight."

Kirk Boeller pitched the first three innings of the opener to notch the victory. He allowed an unearned run and four hits, with four strikeouts and no walks.

Dustin Hunter fired three shutout innings, giving up two hits. He struck out three and walked none.

Parham allowed two hits and a run in the seventh but struck out the side.

Tough-luck loser Alex Chasteen gave up five hits and three runs -- just one earned -- in four innings.

Amschler went 3-for-3 in the opener and finished the evening with four hits.

Matt Wagner went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the opener. He also wound up with four hits.

Trevor Irwin had three hits in the twin bill for Charleston.

Riverdogs 001 000 1 -- 2 8 2

Capahas 003 010 x -- 4 10 1

WP -- Kirk Boeller. LP -- Alex Chasteen. 3B -- Paul Johnson (R), Trevor Irwin (R). 2B -- Matt Wagner (C), Denver Stuckey (C). Multiple hits -- Riverdogs, Irwin 2-3, Caleb Guilliams 2-3; Capahas, Wagner 3-4, John Amschler 3-3, Jeremy Patton 2-4. Records -- Capahas 7-5.

Riverdogs 003 000 0 -- 3 6 4

Capahas 001 201 x -- 4 6 1

WP -- Ryan Poole. LP -- Justin Simpher. Records -- Capahas 8-5.