Former Redhawks pitch Capahas to sweep

For the second consecutive Sunday, Anthony Maupin and Phillip Riley combined to pitch the Plaza Tire Capahas to a doubleheader sweep.

As far as Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen is concerned, that's a formidable one-two punch to have at the top of the rotation.

"They both looked good. They're throwing well," Bolen said. "Those are two pretty good pitchers to send out there."

Maupin hurled a five-inning shutout in the run-rule opener as the Capahas routed the visiting Henderson (Tenn.) Diamond Cats 10-0.

Riley then worked six innings without allowing an earned run as the Capahas completed the home sweep with a 5-1 victory.

The Capahas (8-3) also used dominant starts from Maupin and Riley to sweep the St. Louis Kings the previous Sunday.

"Any time you can march out Maupin and Riley, that's a big advantage," said the Capahas' Tom Bolen.

Maupin (3-0) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six. He leads the Capahas in wins and has given up just two earned runs in 15 innings.

"It was my third start, and I'm starting to get in a groove," Maupin said. "I felt good."

So did the hard-throwing Riley (2-1), who allowed three hits and an unearned run in six innings. He struck out 10 and did not walk a batter.

"It's my third outing, and things are starting to come together," said Riley, who has given up just one earned run in 13 1/3 innings while striking out 23.

Riley said he comfortable with working the back ends of doubleheaders that his former Southeast Missouri State teammate starts.

"We also did it last summer a lot. He'd go first, and I'd go behind him," said Riley, who completed his eligibility at Southeast in 2007. Maupin finished up with the Redhawks in 2006.

While the Capahas' pitching was stout Sunday -- Josh Parham finished up with a scoreless inning in the nightcap -- they also received plenty of offense.

Plaza Tire had 21 hits, including six doubles, a triple and a home run.

The homer was an inside-the-park job by Jerry Hodges, which tied the nightcap 1-1 in the third inning.

Hodges drove a ball that was missed by diving center fielder Matt Riley. It rolled to the wall, and Hodges was able to circle the bases.

Daniel Schuh went 2-for-3 in each game, while Hodges, Tom Bolen, Josh Eftink and Levi Olson all added three hits on the day.

"I feel good at the plate, and it was good to get the sweep," Schuh said. "Our pitching did well."

Eftink went 3-for-3 in the opener as the Capahas pounded out 13 hits, including five doubles.

The second game was a much tougher affair. The Capahas got five of their eight hits during a four-run sixth inning that snapped a 1-1 tie.

Hodges scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch as he barely slid under the tag.

"It was a good day for us," Tom Bolen said.

The Diamond Cats (2-4) came to Cape Girardeau with only eight players. Several of the squad members apparently were not up to competing after the recent death of a player's father.

Plaza Tire provided the Diamond Cats with one player for each game.

"I've got a lot of respect for them, still coming up here after that tragedy," Jess Bolen said. "Their manager said some of their guys just weren't ready to start playing again."

The Capahas return to action Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game in St. Louis against the Printers.

Capahas 10, Diamond Cats 0, 5 inn.

Diamond Cats00000--032

Capahas13015--10131

WP -- Anthony Maupin, 3-0. LP -- Matt Riley. 2B -- Josh Eftink (C), Levi Olson (C), Omar Padilla (C), Zach Borowiak (C), Kendal Deason (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Eftink 3-3, Olson 2-3, Tom Bolen 2-3, Daniel Schuh 2-3. Records -- Capahas 7-3, Diamond Cats 2-3.

Capahas 5, Diamond Cats 1

Diamond Cats0010000--141

Capahas001004X--583

WP -- Phillip Riley, 2-1. LP -- Tyler Sutton. HR -- Jerry Hodges (C). 3B -- Daniel Schuh (C). 2B -- Hodges (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Hodges 2-3, Schuh 2-3. Records -- Capahas 8-3, Diamond Cats 2-4.