CAPS ERASE PRINTERS; TWINBILL SWEEP COMPLETES 4-1 WEEKEND

McDowell Capahas manager Jess Bolen is still trying to piece together his pitching staff20and his overall lineup for the 1998 season.

And really, that's nothing new. Bolen is in his 32nd season as the Capahas' manager and he entered this year with a sparkling 1,109-344 record.

But Bolen has gotten used to the fact that he'll have to continue to juggle his roster well into every season.

"In this type of ball, you've got people with so many different things going on," said Bolen. "We never finish with what we start."

As Bolen spoke those words late Sunday afternoon, he sat in the steamy home dugout at Capaha Field. His team had just swept a doubleheader from the visiting St. Louis Printers, winning 13-10 and 11-5.

Those victories gave the Capahas a 4-1 record during a five-game weekend homestand. After beating Saline County, Ill., Friday, the Capahas split a doubleheader with the Printers Saturday before sweeping the St. Louis squad Sunday.

"If you had told me before the weekend that we'd win four out of five, I'd have definitely taken it," said Bolen, whose squad is now 14-5 on the season. "Sure, you want to win them all. But we had six pitchers for the five games. To win four of them, that's not too bad."

Despite having a short pitching staff, McDowell starters Danny Simpher and Lanson DeBrock were able to give the Capahas exactly what they needed in Sunday's extreme heat and humidity -- two complete-game, seven-inning victories.

Simpher gave up six runs in the second but settled down after that. Overall, he allowed seven earned runs and 10 hits while striking out four and walking four.

"I would have never left Danny in there in a game like that but we needed the innings," said Bolen. "I told him after the game that I really appreciated what he did for the team."

DeBrock, strictly a reliever so far this year, gave up five runs and five hits in the first inning but also settled down and finished with an eight-hitter. He fanned six and walked five.

"Lanson hasn't been throwing a whole lot and this was his first start," Bolen said. "After the first inning, I thought he did a good job."

Once again the Capahas' bats were effective. After getting 25 hits during Saturday's split, the Capahas banged out 21 more hits Sunday.

McDowell had 13 hits in the opener, including another home run from Shawn Pemberton, his fourth round-tripper of the weekend. Pemberton, Ryan Murphy and Tom Breuer all had two hits while Lance Craft led the way with three. Robert Kern drove in three runs.

The Capahas trailed 10-9 entering the bottom of the sixth inning but they rallied with four runs. Julio Vega, who had been slumping, drove in the eventual game-winning run with a double.

"I've been seeing the ball well but I just haven't been able to get anything going," Vega said. "Maybe this will be what I need."

Brian Cissell had three hits and belted a three-run homer for the Printers in the opener. Ryan Rhea also had three hits.

Cape Girardeau native Greg Rubel started on the mound for the Printers in the first game. Rubel was hurt by several errors and two of the eight runs he allowed were unearned. In four innings, Rubel gave up six hits.

Mike Miller was the hitting star for the Capahas in the nightcap. He had a grand slam and a two-run double for six RBIs. Steve Kress added three RBIs.

Rhea belted two homers for the Printers.

After the Capahas fell behind 4-0 in the first, they came right back with five in the bottom of the frame, Miller's grand slam putting McDowell ahead 5-4. The Capahas rolled after that.

"We can hit the ball, no doubt about that," Bolen said. "I think we've got a good (starting) nine. And we've still got some guys who haven't been with us much that will be joining us."

The pitching staff still needs to be filled out, but Bolen is confident that will happen soon. Expected to join the Capahas this week are Kevin Vent and Brandon West, two strong hurlers from last season, along with Greg Budt, who went undefeated for Jefferson College this spring.

"I feel good that our record is what it is right now," said Bolen. "But we mainly have had to outslug people so far. It's hard to make any moves when you've only got six pitchers. That should change this week."

The Capahas will play at Sauget, Ill., Wednesday night before competing in the rugged Evansville (Ind.) Tournament over the July 4th weekend.