CAPS SEE RAIN GO AWAY, ROUT MURPHYSBORO

The McDowell Capahas have had a frustrating baseball season so far -- and not because they're struggling on the field.

McDowell's 13-3 romp past visiting Murphysboro, Ill., Monday night -- the game was stopped after 6 1/2 innings by the 10-run mercy rule -- improved the Capahas' record to 10-4 as the team looks like it's headed for yet another highly successful season.

But what has been frustrating to manager Jess Bolen and his players is the fact they're having trouble getting in games on a consistent basis.

Mainly due to rain, the Capahas have already had 10 games wiped out. They had two scheduled weekend doubleheaders rained out and Monday's contest was only their fourth home game of the season.

"This is only our fourth home game. That's hard to believe," said Bolen, in his 32nd season at the helm of the Capahas. "It's been frustrating so far so it was nice to come out and be able to play tonight. We've been idle for so long."

Said outfielder Tommy Bolen, the manager's son, "It felt great. We needed to get out and play. All the rainouts have been killing us."

Murphysboro -- a first-year team -- offered little resistance as the Red Wings suffered their second lopsided loss to the Capahas in five days. Last Thursday, McDowell romped 18-1 in Murphysboro.

"They're just getting started," said a sympathetic Jess Bolen. "It's their first year and it takes a while to get a team together. It takes a while to see what you need."

The Capahas had 12 hits, including long home runs to right field by lefthanded batters Robert Kern and Shawn Pemberton. Kern's was a solo blast while Pemberton's was a three-run shot.

"Here is it June 22 and this is only our fourth home game," said Pemberton. "It felt good to be back on this (Capaha) field."

Pemberton finished with two hits and he drove in four runs. Lance Craft and Jeff Lappe added two hits apiece while Julio Vega had three RBIs.

Three Capaha pitchers combined on a four-hitter. Richie Phillips went the first four innings for the win. He allowed two hits and two runs while striking out three and walking two.

Jerry Wolsey gave up two hits and a run in two innings while Joey Scholl fanned the side in a perfect seventh.

"We got a chance to work some pitchers, which was good," Bolen said.

Kern's homer in the second gave the Capahas a 1-0 lead, but Murphysboro actually took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth.

But the Capahas got six runs in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead 7-2. They added five more in the fifth -- Pemberton's three-run blast was the highlight -- to break the game wide open.

David Pierson drove in two of Murphysboro's three runs. He was also the losing hurler.

McDowell will now look forward to a big five-game weekend homestand, beginning Friday night when Saline County, Ill. from the Eldorado area comes to Capaha Field for a 7:30 contest.

The Capahas will then have two doubleheaders with the St. Louis Printers, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

"We're looking forward to a good homestand," Pemberton said. "We're just looking for the weather to cooperate."