LaBruyere quiets Pally's in Capahas' opener

For the second time in less than two weeks, the Plaza Tire Capahas and Springfield (Ill.) Pally's split a tight doubleheader.

Saturday's twin bill in Springfield, Ill., saw the Capahas win the opener 7-5 and the Pally's claim the nightcap 4-3 in nine innings. Both games were scheduled for seven innings.

Both teams posted a one-run victory June 13 in Cape Girardeau.

"They've got a really good team. It was a good doubleheader," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, whose squad is 12-6.

Brad LaBruyere, who left last weekend's start against the Crestwood (Ill.) Panthers in the second inning when his back tightened up, pitched all seven innings of Saturday's opener.

LaBruyere earned the win by allowing seven hits while striking out nine and walking two.

"He threw great," Bolen said. "They hit him some early but then he really started mixing up his pitches."

The Capahas had eight hits, led by Jordan Kimball and Clint Cashen with two each. Kimball drove in two runs, as did Sean Bard with a double.

Three first-inning runs gave the Capahas an early lead. They broke a 4-4 tie with a three-run fifth inning.

The second game saw the Capahas fall behind 2-0 in the first inning and go ahead 3-2 with a three-run fifth before Springfield tied it in the bottom of the fifth.

That's the way things stood until the bottom of the ninth, when a fly ball in the outfield that was dropped for an error with two outs allowed the winning run to score all the way from first base.

"That's a tough way to lose, but those things happen. That's baseball," Bolen said.

Kimball had two of the Capahas' six hits. Cashen added two RBIs.

Dustin Hunter started and went six innings, allowing eight hits and three runs. He struck out six and walked two.

Josh Parham worked the final 2 2/3 innings and took the loss. He allowed three hits and the unearned run.

The Capahas are back in action today with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader against the St. Louis Printers.