CAPS, PRINTERS DIVVY PAIR

Considering that the McDowell Capahas had 12 more hits than the visiting St. Louis Printers Saturday, you might think that the Cape Girardeau baseball team was able to sweep a twi-night doubleheader.

But the Capahas could manage just four runs through their 15 first-game hits as the Printers squeezed out a 7-4 victory. The Capahas then made their 10 second-game hits stand up in an 8-4 triumph.

The same teams will go again today in another doubleheader at Capaha Field, this one starting at noon.

"These were two good ballgames," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, whose team is now 12-5. "To get 15 hits in the first game and not win is tough. But that's the way baseball is sometimes."

The Printers fell to 7-7 as they split their second doubleheader with the Capahas this season.

"It was two darned good games," said Printers manager Tony Caradonna. "We've played some excellent games with the Capahas this year."

Shawn Pemberton was the Capahas' hitting star Saturday as he went 5-for-7 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. Pemberton had a three-run homer in the opener and a two-run shot in the nightcap.

"I'm seeing the ball real well right now," said Pemberton. "I'm trying to make good contact and it's working out that I'm finding the holes and hitting the ball hard."

Added Pemberton with a laugh, "I've always heard that hitting slumps and hitting streaks are like the common cold. Whatever you do, it'll be gone in two weeks. So I'll try and keep it going as long as I can."

Steve Kress, Ryan Murphy and Tom Bolen all had four hits in the doubleheader while Robert Kern added three.

Don Jolliff had three of the Printers' 13 hits on the day, including a three-run homer in the nightcap. Mike Andrew had a three-run blast in the opener.

"They (the Printers) have a good ballcub and we've had four good games with them this year already," Bolen said. "I expect two more good games (today)."

Despite giving up 15 hits, Mark Valle was able to notch the victory in the opener as he pitched all seven innings and induced the Capahas to strand 10 runners on the bases.

Jerry Wolsey was the loser despite having just one poor inning out of seven. The Printers scored six runs on six hits in the third, the key blow being Andrew's three-run homer. Wolsey allowed just one hit and one run in the other six frames. He struck out eight and walked one.

"Other than the one inning, Wolsey pitched well," said Bolen.

Jeff Lappe gave the Capahas six solid innings to win the nightcap. He allowed five hits and four runs (with five strikeouts and six walks) before Joey Scholl came on to get the final three outs in the seventh. Scholl gave up one hit.

"Lappe gave us a good performance," Bolen said. "He was a little wild early but overall he pitched pretty well."

John Buckingham was hammered for eight hits and eight runs over three innings to take the loss. Ryan Edwards hurled three scoreless innings, allowing two hits.

The Capahas scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back. They built an 8-0 lead but had to hold off the Printers, who hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh.