Capahas' winning streak ends in split with Valmeyer

The Burger King Capahas had its eight-game winning streak ended with a late-game scoring splurge by Valmeyer (Ill.) in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday, but the Capahas exacted revenge in the nightcap at Capaha Field.

Valmeyer overcame a three-run deficit in the top of the seventh inning of the opener on its way to a 7-4 victory, while the Capahas plated six runs in the opening inning of the second game on their way to a 10-4 victory.

In the opener, the Capahas scored three runs in the third inning and appeared on their way to extending their winning streak, but Valmeyer scored four runs with two outs in the top of the seventh. The Capahas forced extra innings with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Valmeyer plated three more runs in the eighth.

Ross James pitched the final two innings and took the loss, allowing six hits and seven runs -- four earned. He struck out two and walked two.

Tyler Thompson was dominant over the first five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out seven without walking a batter.

The Capahas' Alex Heuring singles during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Valmeyer (Ill.) at Capaha Field. The Capahas won the game 10-4 after dropping the opener 7-4 in eight innings.WAYNE MCPHERSON ~ Special to Southeast Missourian

Drew Morecraft, Alex Heuring and Kyle James all went 2-for-3 for the Capahas. Heuring had two RBIs, while Morecraft had a double and an RBI.

The Capahas also ran into seventh-inning problems in the second game, allowing three runs, but had the luxury of a nine-run lead.

The Capahas pushed across six runs in the first inning. After taking a 1-0 lead on an Alex Heuring bases-loaded single, three consecutive Capahas -- Josh Haggerty, Kyle James and Drew Harper -- were plunked by pitches to force home runs for a 4-0 lead.

"I don't know if I've ever seen that happen before," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, who is in his 50th and final year of coaching the team, about the three straight RBI hit batsmen.

Two RBI groundouts increased the lead to 6-0, which was enough for winning pitcher Brady Wright, who threw the first three innings, and Lance Young, who covered the final four.

Wright allowed just one hit, walked one and struck out three. The only run he allowed, in the third inning, was earned. Young allowed six hits and three runs -- all earned. He struck out five and walked one.

Chase Urhahn, Morecraft, Haggerty and Luke Haines all had two hits for the Capahas (13-2). Urhahn had a double and two RBIs, while Haggerty had a double and Harper had two RBIs.

The Capahas return to action Tuesday when they face the St. Louis Printers at Yanks Field in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, at 7 p.m.

(Game 1)

Valmeyer 7, Capahas 4 Valmeyer 000 000 43 -- 7 8 1

Capahas 000 300 10 -- 4 9 2

WP -- Tom Early. LP -- Ross James. 2B -- Drew Morecraft (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Morecraft 2-3, Alex Heuring 2-3, Kyle James 2-3.

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(Game 2)

Capahas 10, Valmeyer 4 Valmeyer 001 000 3 -- 4 7 3

Capahas 601 021 x -- 10 11 1

WP -- Brady Wright. LP -- Tom Flatt. 2B -- Chase Urhahn (C), Josh Haggerty (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Urhahn 2-4, Morecraft 2-3, Haggerty 2-3, Luke Haines 2-4.