CAPS REMAIN UNBEATEN IN MID-SOUTH REGIONAL; CAPAHAS STAGE RALLY IN LATE INNINGS FOR 9-7 WIN OVER SALINE CO.

The McDowell Capahas used one of their patented comebacks to move into the driver's seat of the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional Tournament.

McDowell wiped out a 7-3 deficit and defeated the Saline County (Ill.) Monarchs 9-7 Friday night in the winner's bracket final at Capaha Field.

The Capahas are now the only remaining undefeated team in the double-elimination tourney. McDowell may or may not play in the finals tonight, depending on what transpires today.

O.B. Clark from St. Louis and Goreville (Ill.) will play an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. today. The winner of that contest will then face Saline County in the loser's bracket final.

No team can play three games in one day, so if the winner of today's first game also wins the second contest, then there will be no late game tonight. Otherwise, the finals will be at around 8 p.m.

There still could be a game or two Sunday, depending on what happens today.

The Capahas improved to 22-6 on the season while the Monarchs fell to 21-15. Both squads had won their first two tourney games last weekend.

McDowell got a strong relief performance from Matt Palmer, who replaced starter Chad Bogenpohl in the fourth inning. Palmer went on to pitch six full innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out eight and walking three.

Bogenpohl, who cruised through the first three innings, ran into trouble in the fourth. He wound up allowing five runs (three earned) and six hits while fanning three and walking none.

Saline County starter Shawn Brasher was impressive before running out of gas. He allowed six runs (four earned) and eight hits in seven innings.

Brad Sparks took the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) and two hits in just one-third of an inning.

Trailing 7-3, McDowell scored twice in the seventh on a two-run homer by Cory Crosnoe.

The Capahas then went ahead for good with a four-run eighth that was aided by two Saline County errors. Jerry Wolsey, Crosnoe and Shawn Pemberton drove in runs in the frame.

McDowell finished with 11 hits, led by Steve Kress with three. Kress also scored three runs. Crosnoe and Pemberton both had two hits, with Crosnoe driving in three runs.

Saline County had 10 hits, led by Jeremy Todd with three. Brasher, Scott Way and Mark Hiller each added two hits. Way and Hiller both drove in two runs.