Caps resume wildcard role for opener in World Series

The Craftsman Union Capahas barely squeezed into the National Baseball Congress World Series as an at-large entrant.

Beginning today in Wichita, Kan., the Capahas will try to prove NBC officials were wise to select the Cape Girardeau team for its 18th consecutive World Series appearance.

The Capahas (32-6) play the Pueblo, Colo., Chieftains (37-6) at 1 p.m. in a first-round game of the double-elimination tournament.

If the Capahas win, they'll play perennial powerhouse Liberal, Kan., at 5 p.m. Monday. If they lose, they won't play again until Friday.

"We want to prove that we really deserve to be there," Tom Bolen said. "It seems like when we don't get an automatic bid, we do better. I think we feel like we have something to prove and it motivates us more."

For the second straight year, the Capahas failed to win the NBC Mid-South Regional -- whose champion receives an automatic World Series berth -- and had to sweat out an at-large bid that manager Jess Bolen wasn't sure would come.

"It's kind of the same as last year," he said. "We barely got a bid but we won two games out there."

Last season, the Capahas won their first two World Series games, then lost their next two and were eliminated. They tied for 12th out of more than 40 teams.

Featuring a strong pitching staff -- usually vital in a tournament that prohibits the use of aluminum bats -- the Capahas are confident they can make noise in Kansas.

"Pitching is a big part out there, and that's a big plus for us because we have a lot of solid pitchers," Dave Lawson said. "I think we can do well."

Jess Bolen said Kyle Perry, the MVP of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for Murray State this year, will start today. Perry is 3-2 with a 2.72 earned-run average.

If the Capahas win their opener, Jason Chavez (8-0, 1.38) would get the nod Monday.

Other top hurlers for the Capahas have been Jon Nourie (6-0, 2.85), Justin Simpher (6-1, 2.49), Matt Stroup (5-3, 2.35) and Nathan Baker (3-0, 1.14). As a team, the Capahas have an impressive 2.30 ERA.

"Kyle Perry has the experience, which I like, but I think we've got a lot of pitchers who could do well in the tournament," Jess Bolen said. "I think our pitching staff is good enough for us to do well out there. It's been the strength of our team."

Offensively, the Capahas have a .328 average and feature eight regulars above .300: Lawson (.390), Adam Garrett (.375), Josh Eftink (.350), Steve Kress (.333), Lance Seasor (.331), Tom Bolen (.318), Justin Welker (.305) and Tom Cigno (.300), while Jon Payne (.298) and Wade Hansford (.280) aren't far off. Garrett and Cigno recently joined the squad and have had limited plate appearances.

Lawson and Eftink both have five home runs to lead the way, and Bolen has driven in 33 runs. Seasor leads in doubles with 12 and triples with four, and he has recorded 20 of the squad's 40 stolen bases while being caught just once.

The Capahas will continue to be without Gary Gilbert, who was leading in hitting (.418) and RBIs (34) before suffering a hand injury several weeks ago. Scott Reinagel has also been out with a bad back.

"You wish you didn't have the injuries and were at full strength, but there's nothing you can do about it," Jess Bolen said.

Pueblo qualified for the tournament by rolling through the Rocky Mountain Baseball League with a 27-1 record. Like the Capahas, the Chieftains feature primarily college-age players. The Chieftains went 3-2 in the World Series last year.

"I'm sure they'll be a very good opponent," Jess Bolen said. "You don't go 27-1 in your league without being pretty strong."

Bolen said the Capahas' annual goal in Wichita is to finish in the top 10, which requires at least three wins. They have had several top-10 performances over the years, with a high of fifth place.

"You always would like to finish in the top 10," he said, "but once you get in the top 10, you're not satisfied."

mmishow@semissourian.com

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