NBC MID-SOUTH REGIONAL: CAPS FORCE SHOWDOWN WITH 6-3 WIN OVER O.B. CLARK

An unusual seventh inning that featured five runs on just one hit allowed the McDowell Capahas to force a final game today to decide the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional championship.

Things were not looking very good for the host Capahas Saturday night as they entered the bottom of the seventh against O.B. Clark, the only remaining undefeated squad in the double-elimination event.

O.B. Clark led 3-1 and had held the Capahas to just two hits as the St. Louis squad appeared to be closing in on the tournament championship.

But that seventh-inning uprising was the difference in a 6-3 victory for the Capahas that kept their hopes of a third consecutive Mid-South Regional title very much alive.

The Capahas and O.B. Clark will square off at 4:30 p.m. today at Capaha Field to decide the tourney crown.

"It didn't look too good for us because we weren't hitting the ball," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen. "But we hung in there and got a few breaks."

In the decisive seventh, ninth-place batter Nathan Taylor led off by hitting a routine ground ball to third base that was booted for an error.

Kevin Meyer bunted and was thrown out as pinch-runner Brent Self advanced to second. Zach Borowiak then walked and O.B. Clark pitcher Ross Koenig, who had been dominant to that point, was replaced by Steve Ince.

Ince walked Steve Kress to load the bases and he then threw two balls to Cory Crosnoe before Chris Bailey came on to pitch. Bailey wound up walking Crosnoe to force in a run, with that free pass being charged to Ince.

Now trailing just 3-2, Darin Kinsolving lifted the Capahas into the lead and then some when he drilled a shot to the base of the center-field wall at the 400-foot mark. The blast went for a triple and cleared the bases as McDowell went ahead 5-3.

Kinsolving then scored on a wild pitch to complete the rally.

"We only had one hit (in the seventh), but they walked a few, made the error and we were able to get something going," Bolen said.

The Capahas finished the game with just four hits, giving them only nine hits in two games against O.B. Clark over the weekend. McDowell lost to O.B. Clark 7-3 in Friday night's winner's bracket final.

"We haven't really been swinging the bats that well but the pitching has been good," said Bolen. "You put those two things together and that's what happens."

Kinsolving tripled twice while Meyer singled twice to account for the Capahas' offense.

Chad Bogenpohl received credit for the victory. In seven innings, he allowed seven hits and three runs while striking out seven and walking two.

Bogenpohl was in plenty of trouble much of the night but pitched out of several jams, none bigger than the top of the seventh when O.B. Clark had runners on second and third with nobody out. But Bogenpohl escaped trouble to keep the game 3-1.

Billy Huston came on for a well-deserved save as he hurled the final two frames in one-hit, scoreless fashion. He fanned three.

"Bogie hung in there and Billy came in and shut em down," said Bolen.

Koenig, who pitched brilliantly, did not figure into the decision. He allowed three hits and three runs but just one earned in 6 1/3 innings while fanning five and walking four. Ince suffered the loss.

Jake Tippee and Brian Vernon each had two of O.B. Clark's eight hits.

Earlier Saturday, the Capahas advanced to the finals round by eliminating a scrappy Fulton squad 3-1 behind the pitching of Lanson Debrock.

Debrock, hurling all nine innings, gave up five hits while striking out nine and walking three.

The Capahas had nine hits, two each by Kinsolving, Meyer and Chris Sledge. Crosnoe, Sledge and Phil Warren drove in the runs.

Zach Lamb pitched well in defeat as he went the eight-inning distance.

Also Saturday, Fulton eliminated the Southern Illinois Diamondbacks 7-4 as Shawn Anderson pitched all nine innings.

Fulton wound up third in the tournament, which began last weekend with eight teams. The Diamondbacks finished fourth.

But it will be the Capahas and O.B. Clark -- fierce rivals -- who will battle today for the championship.

"I think it's fitting it comes down to one last game between these two teams," said Bolen.