CAPS CONFIDENT HEADING BACK TO NBC WORLD SERIES

The McDowell Capahas returned to Kansas with loads of confidence as they look to keep rolling in the 66th annual National Baseball Congress World Series.

Manager Jess Bolen's squad won its first two games when the 48-team, double-elimination tournament began last weekend in Wichita. That's the first time in several years that the Capahas have began the prestigious event with a 2-0 record.

The Capahas, who returned to Cape Girardeau following their second tourney win Monday night, departed for Kansas Thursday morning. They'll play the tournament's third-seeded team, the San Diego Stars, at 5 p.m. today in the winner's bracket round of 16.

If the Capahas win today, they'll play again Sunday. If they lose today, they'll come back and play Saturday. Either way, they'll now stay in Wichita until they are through with the tournament, which concludes Aug. 12.

"It's the first time we've been 2-0 out there in quite a while and we're going back with a lot of confidence," said Bolen Wednesday night. "This team, one thing it's done, has justified the faith I had in its talent."

Bolen said the Capahas, who have a 33-8 record, have come a long way since the NBC Mid-South Regional they hosted last month. McDowell's bats were extremely silent in finishing second behind St. Louis O.B. Clark.

"We just weren't hitting as a team in the regional. I said it then," Bolen said. "Now, everybody is a tough out. Up and down the lineup, we're hitting. You know how hitting is, one guy starts it and then everybody else picks it up."

The Capahas began the NBC World Series -- in which teams are required to hit with wood bats -- by slipping past the Wichita Twins 9-8, then they pounded a squad from Denver, Colo., 14-1 in a contest shortened to five innings by the run rule.

McDowell had 19 hits in the two games, led by the powerful performance of Darin Kinsolving, who leads the tournament with three home runs and nine runs batted in.

"Darin is just tearing it up," said Bolen of the former Southeast Missouri State University star who completed his eligibility this year and was disappointed that he wasn't drafted. "I've talked to about 11 scouts out there and all have a checkmark by his name.

"I don't know that he'll get signed (after the tournament), but they know about him. He just has to keep hitting like that."

Bolen said it wasn't like the Capahas beat up on inferior pitching during their first two tournament games.

"Both guys who started against us were good pitchers. We were just hitting the ball," Bolen said. "And we only made one error in the two games, and that was on a really tough chance. We're just playing really well and hopefully we'll keep it up."

Lanson Debrock, who earned a save in the victory over Wichita and pitched all five innings for the win over Denver, will probably start today's game, with Chad Bogenpohl also a possibility.

"Lanson has been throwing so well right now, we'll probably go with him and then come back with Bogie in our next game," said Bolen.

The Capahas figure to face a rugged test tonight against the team that finished third in last year's tourney. But Bolen believes the Caps will have a solid chance of remaining undefeated if they play like they did in their first two games.

"They're perennially one of the top teams in the nation. They'll be one of the top teams out there," he said. "But we'll be able to play with them. And if we play well, we'll have a chance to win."