Caps cap perfect 5-0 weekend with wins over Riverdogs, Outlaws

The Plaza Tire Capahas finally lost their shutout streak Sunday -- just barely -- but kept their winning streak intact as they posted a pair of lopsided home victories.

One day after blanking the St. Louis Golden Spikes twice, the Capahas drilled the Cape Girardeau Riverdogs 9-0 in seven innings and then routed the Evansville (Ind.) Outlaws 17-3 in a five-inning, run-rule contest.

Sunday's baseball tripleheader at Capaha Field ended with the Outlaws romping past the Riverdogs 14-1 in the full seven innings.

The Capahas pushed their winning streak to six games and improved their record to 24-7 as they won all five contests during a weekend homestand.

"It was a very good weekend for us," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "We played well."

About the only thing that went wrong for the Capahas was failing to extend their three-game shutout string as Evansville (32-16), already trailing 15-0, pushed across three unearned runs in the fourth inning.

"Three straight shutouts doesn't happen very often," right fielder Tom Bolen said. "Our pitching staff is great. We have some horses."

After the Capahas received two complete-game shutouts Saturday, three pitchers combined for Sunday's three-hit blanking of the Riverdogs (8-16).

Jon Nourie, who missed virtually all of his junior season this year at Southeast Missouri State University because of elbow problems that required surgery, got the win as he went the first 3 1/3 innings. The left-hander allowed two hits, struck out five and walked three.

Nourie, expected to be one of Southeast's aces this year, continues to gain strength after recently beginning to pitch again. It was his fourth outing of the summer and he was on a 60-pitch limit, which is why he was removed with one out in the fourth inning.

"Things are going well for me. I've been feeling better each time out," said Nourie, who said he expects to be at full strength by the time Southeast begins fall practice.

Said Bolen, "Jon is looking good. He didn't want t come out, but I told him this is the best way for him to come back, by gradually increasing his work. The first time we had him throw 20 pitches, then 30, then 45 and now 60. Next time he might go five or six innings."

Matt Stroup retired all five batters he faced, with three strikeouts. Josh Parham finished up, allowing one hit in two innings.

Bryan Kurt had the game's big blow, a three-run double in the third inning that put the Capahas up 4-0. Kurt, Eric Horstman and Lance Seasor all had two of Plaza Tire's eight hits. Tim Davis suffered the loss, allowing six hits and five earned runs in five innings.

Josh Joiner had a another strong outing as he pitched all five innings against Evansville, allowing five hits. The former Southern Illinois University hurler struck out five and walked one.

Leading 2-0, the Capahas broke things wide open with a 13-run third inning that featured nine hits.

Plaza Tire finished with 12 hits, led by Eric Horstman with three as he went 5-for-7 on the day. Wade Walter, Levi Olson and Seth Hudson all added two hits and Kurt had two more RBIs to give him five on the day. Olson and Tom Bolen both added two RBIs.

The Capahas return to action Wednesday as they visit the St. Louis Printers.