NBC EASY AS 1-2-3 FOR HOST CAPAHAS; CAPS DEFEND TITLE; KRESS MVP

The McDowell Capahas have won six National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional championships in the 1990s.

But none of those titles came any easier than the one they captured over the weekend at Capaha Field.

Plowing through an extremely watered-down field, the Capahas wrapped up their second consecutive Mid-South Regional crown by routing the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 18-4 Sunday night. The contest was stopped after seven innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

McDowell's other two tournament victories were 21-4 in seven innings over Murphysboro (Ill.) and 12-2 in eight innings over Goreville (Ill.).

So the Capahas wound up playing 22 innings, one more than the minimum they could have played if all three games had ended after seven innings.

"It sure wasn't O.B. Clark," said Capahas manger Jess Bolen in reference to the classic battle his team had with the St. Louis powerhouse during last year's Mid-South Regional. "It makes you realize how much fun it was last year when we had such a great game with them."

O.B. Clark, which won two straight Mid-South Regional titles before the Capahas prevailed last year, did not field a team this season. Neither did Paducah (Ky.), which had been a solid squad.

So what this year's tournament amounted to was something akin to a light workout for the Capahas as they feasted on the other three teams in the field.

"I feel bad that our fans didn't see better games because that's what everybody enjoys," Bolen said. "But all we can do is advertise the tournament and try to get teams to come here.

"You always miss the competition. But I was glad to see us take care of business. A lot of times a team is supposed to walk over another team and it doesn't happen."

The Capahas improved to 20-7 and earned an automatic berth in next month's NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

"That's what we build toward every year and the main thing about this tournament is we needed to win it to get a berth (in Wichita)," said Bolen.

Pine Bluff, which earlier Sunday beat Murphysboro 10-0 in seven innings and Goreville 10-4 to reach the final, fell to 9-14.

Capahas center fielder Steve Kress led a 17-hit attack with three home runs, accounting for seven runs batted in. All the homers by the lefthanded-hitting Kress flew over the right-field fence.

Kress earned tourney MVP honors. He went 7-for-15 with three homers and 10 RBIs in addition to playing his usual sparkling defense.

"It's the first time I've hit three home runs in one game," said a smiling Kress, who won the Mid-South Regional MVP award back in 1991 during his first season with the Capahas.

Added Kress, "Sometimes it's hard to keep your focus when you're expected to do well. But we were able to. And now we can start gearing up for Wichita. That's when it really counts."

Tom Breuer also had three hits Sunday and finished the tournament 7-for-15 with five RBIs. Julio Vega added two hits, making him 7-for-13 with six RBIs in the tourney. Mike Miller also had two hits and wound up 6-for-11 with six RBIs.

Shawn Pemberton had two hits and three RBIs Sunday while Darrick Smith had two hits and scored five runs.

Kevin Vent pitched the first four innings for the win. He allowed three hits and one run while striking out one and walking none.

Greg Budt worked the final three innings, allowing four hits and three runs (two earned). He fanned five and walked one.

Danny Simpher was named the tourney's top pitcher after hurling seven innings during Saturday night's winner's bracket final victory over Goreville.

The Capahas scored five runs in the first innings against the worn-out Braves and things only became uglier the rest of the way.

With two in the second, three in the third and two in the fourth, the Capahas built a 12-0 lead. Bolen began to clear his bench soon after that.

"We've never won a (regional) title this easy," said Bolen. "But what can you do? We'll play anybody who wants to get in it."

National Baseball Congress

Mid-South Regional

At Capaha Field

Friday's Result

Capahas 21, Murphysboro 4 (7 inn.)

Saturday's Results

Goreville 9, Pine Bluff 3

Capahas 12, Goreville 2 (8 inn.)

Sunday's Results

Pine Bluff 10, Murphysboro 0 (7 inn.)

Pine Bluff 10, Goreville 4

Championship Game

Capahas 18, Pine Bluff 4 (7 inn.)