Caps come out firing

~ Plaza Tire debuted with a 10-0 victory over the Valmeyer Lakers.

According to Plaza Tire Capahas manager Jess Bolen, it almost never fails.

A player who has basically been idle all year is the team's top hitter during its opening game of just about every season.

"We talked about that the other night," Bolen said. "It happens every year. A guy that hasn't hit all year will lead us in hitting that first game."

It happened again Friday night when the Capahas opened their 40th season under Bolen by hosting the Valmeyer (Ill.) Lakers, who already had six games under their belts.

Bryan Kurt, who completed his eligibility at Southeast Missouri State in 2005, went 3-for-3 with two doubles as the Capahas rolled to a 10-0 victory. The contest was stopped in the bottom of the seventh inning by the 10-run rule.

Kurt, an outfielder, said he hadn't hit much since last summer's season with the Capahas.

"I go to school and work, so I don't do much in the offseason," said Kurt, who has one more semester left before he graduates from Southeast. "But this is fun. That's why I play."

While several of the Capahas used wood bats Friday, Kurt swung aluminum. He figures there will be plenty of time to get used to wood before the National Baseball Congress regional and national tournaments, which require players to use only wood bats.

"I'll get in the cage and use wood sooner or later, but let's get some at-bats in first," Kurt said. "I swing aluminum whenever I can."

Bolen was impressed, saying, "Those were rockets he hit."

Dustin Pritchett and Robby Moore, who both recently concluded their junior seasons at Southeast, each added two of the Capahas' 11 hits. Pritchett drove in two runs.

The Capahas had more than enough offense for pitcher Anthony Maupin, who recently completed his career with Southeast by leading the Redhawks in wins as a senior.

Maupin went six innings, allowing three hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

"I wanted to throw, and I felt fine," Maupin said.

Maupin may not pitch for the Capahas again this summer. He has a tryout Monday with the River City Rascals, an independent professional baseball team in O'Fallon, Mo.

"I hope it works out so I can play professionally," Maupin said. "But if it doesn't, I'll come back here and play."

Said Bolen: "Anthony just coming off his college season, that was the big reason I wanted him to throw tonight. I knew he'd be sharp and he would help us get off to a good start."

It was generally a good start all-around for the Capahas, who made one error but otherwise were impressive.

"I was kind of pleased with the way we played as a team," Bolen said. "You never know about the first game, and we're missing some guys right now who will be some of our regular players."

The Capahas jumped on top with three runs in the second inning and broke the game open with a five-run fourth. They added one in the fifth and Pritchett's RBI single in the seventh ended the contest.

Chad Bogenpohl pitched the top of the seventh for the Capahas, hitting a batter and striking out one.

The Capahas and Lakers (3-4) will play again today at Capaha Field in a 1 p.m. single game. A doubleheader had originally been scheduled.

CAPAHAS 10, VALMEYER 0

Valmeyer 000 000 0 -- 0 3 3

Capahas 030 510 1 -- 10 11 1

WP -- Anthony Maupin, 1-0. LP -- Dakota Schutt. 3B -- Chris Rohlfing (V). 2B -- Bryan Kurt (C) 2, Jamie McAlister (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Kurt 3-3, Robby Moore 2-4, Dustin Pritchett 2-4. Records -- Capahas 1-0, Valmeyer 3-4.