CAPS DETHRONED IN NBC REGIONAL; O.B. CLARK STOPS MCDOWELL 8-0 IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

There was good news and bad news Sunday for the McDowell Capahas.

First, for the bad news. The host Capahas suffered an 8-0 loss to O.B. Clark in the championship game of the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional Tournament at Capaha Field.

Now, for the good news. The Capahas will still receive an at-large bid to next month's NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., even though they failed to garner the regional's automatic berth, which goes to O.B. Clark.

"We learned this weekend that the top two finishers here (in the Mid-South Regional) will get bids," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen. "Our history out there has been so good. We've got five top-five finishes and 11 top-10 finishes in 18 years. And we might go out there this year and do really well, you never know."

O.B. Clark snapped the Capahas' string of Mid-South Regional titles at two Sunday as the St. Louis squad broke open a 1-0 game with a six-run eighth inning.

That was more than enough for O.B. Clark right-hander Josh Levey, a former minor-league pitcher who totally dominated the Capahas, allowing just two singles. He struck out five and walked four in going the nine-inning distance.

Levey, who reached the Class A level in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and played last year for the independent River City Rascals, said, "It's just fun to compete. I felt fine and it was an important game. It's fun to come out on top."

Levey was part of an O.B. Clark pitching staff that almost totally shut down the Capahas' offense during three weekend matchups.

In 26 innings, O.B. Clark hurlers allowed the Capahas just 11 hits. Bolen admitted the Capahas were fortunate to even force Sunday's deciding game; they scored five runs on just one hit in the seventh inning Saturday night to rally for a 6-3 win over O.B. Clark after suffering a 7-3 loss to O.B. Clark Friday night.

"No doubt about it, O.B. Clark was the best team this weekend and they deserved to win it. My hat's off to them," Bolen said. "Their guys really pitched well against us, we're not hitting the ball and the wood bats are a big factor."

The entire Mid-South Regional was played with wood bats instead of aluminum, as will be the case at the NBC World Series.

"It's a different game with wood," said Bolen.

McDowell starter Brent Self matched Levey almost pitch for pitch until the eighth inning. Self allowed three hits and one run through seven innings.

"I could not be more proud of Brent Self," said Bolen. "He pitched a whale of a game. He pitched 3 1/3 (scoreless) innings Friday night (against O.B. Clark) and then to get you into the eighth inning like that was something.

"Considering the circumstances, that's one of the best performances I've ever had."

Self, who gave up a run in the second, ran into some trouble in the eighth as two of the first three batters singled, with one run scoring. That marked the end of his day and McDowell's relievers could not keep O.B. Clark at bay as the visitors broke the contest wide open.

O.B. Clark had four hits and received four walks during its six-run eighth that opened up a 7-0 lead. Dan Chinnici had an RBI single while Brian Vernon and Brian Swift each delivered two-run singles.

Self allowed five hits and was charged with three runs in 7 1/3 innings. He fanned eight and walked three.

Matt Palmer walked the only two batters he faced and both scored. Billy Huston fanned one batter but walked two and allowed one hit as he was charged with two runs. Jerry Wolsey hurled the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, two walks and one run.

Swift had two of O.B. Clark's eight hits. Vernon contributed three RBIs.

The Capahas' two hits -- both ground ball singles to right -- were by Nathan Taylor in the fifth and Darin Kinsolving in the ninth.

Levey was named the regional's outstanding pitcher while O.B. Clark outfielder Reid Hartman earned most valuable player honors.

The Capahas are now 26-8 while O.B. Clark is 17-4.

"Even though it didn't go our way today, I was really proud of our guys for playing their hearts out," Bolen said. "O.B. Clark was just better than us this weekend."