New talent helps Capahas to season-opening win

The Plaza Tire Capahas had a successful season opener Friday night, thanks largely to three players making their Capahas debuts.

But considering Phillip Riley, Omar Padilla and Zach Blemker all recently completed their college seasons, that really didn't surprise manager Jess Bolen.

Bolen figures players who have been competing most of the spring will generally have an edge early in summer baseball over those who are one year or more removed from their final collegiate season.

"It's kind of what I expected," Bolen said following the Capahas' 11-8 win over the visiting Valmeyer (Ill.) Lakers. "I figured some of the guys who have been playing all year would have to carry us."

Riley, who was second on the Southeast Missouri State team in pitching wins with six this year, picked up right where he left off.

The Capahas' Daryl Graham connected with a pitch during Friday's game against Valmeyer.

A hard-throwing right-hander, Riley notched Friday's victory with six strong innings. He allowed three runs and four hits, while striking out 11 and walking just one.

"We got what we wanted out of Phillip," Bolen said. "He got us deep in the game."

Padilla, like Riley, completed his eligibility at Southeast this year. The second baseman led the Redhawks with a .325 batting average.

Padilla went 3-for-4 as he was the only player with more than one of the Capahas' 10 hits. He homered, tripled and doubled, which produced four runs batted in.

"I think I'm going to really enjoy playing for this team," said Padilla, who played last year in the high-profile Alaska Summer League. "It's a new atmosphere, but I like it.

"This is more laid back [than Alaska], but it's still good baseball. It's fun to be playing with a lot of my old teammates."

That includes Blemker, among a host of Southeast products from the last two years who are competing for the Capahas.

Blemker, an infielder who still has one season of college eligibility remaining, played sparingly for Southeast this year, receiving just 25 official at-bats.

Blemker belted a two-run homer Friday, a seventh-inning shot that gave the Capahas an 8-4 lead.

"That was a pretty home run and a really big hit," Bolen said. "I think Zach will do well for us this summer."

Daryl Graham, a returning Plaza Tire player who completed his eligibility at Southeast this year, added two RBIs for the Capahas.

While the Capahas never trailed after scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, they never could totally shake the Lakers, who were already playing their seventh game of the season.

The Capahas seemed to open plenty of breathing room with a three-run eighth -- highlighted by Padilla's solo homer and Graham's RBI double -- that made it 11-4.

But the Lakers (3-4) rallied with a four-run ninth and still had the bases loaded with just one out.

Josh Parham, a returning Plaza Tire pitcher who also completed his eligibility at Southeast this year, struck out two straight batters to end the contest.

"Valmeyer has some good hitters," said Bolen, in his 41st season as the Capahas manager. "I'm glad we got those extra runs [in the eighth inning]."

Five Plaza Tire pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts, including former SIU hurler Jason Chavez, who fanned two during a scoreless frame.

The same two teams will be right back at it again today with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Capahas 11, Valmeyer 8

Valmeyer 000 120 104 -- 8 10 1

Capahas 220 002 23X -- 11 10 0

WP -- Phillip Riley. LP -- David Lucht. HR -- Garrett Rohlfing (V), Omar Padilla (C), Zach Blemker (C). 3B -- Jeremiah Bergheger (V), Padilla (C). 2B -- Ken Jones (V), Padilla (C), Daryl Graham (C), Zach Johnson (C). Multiple hits -- Valmeyer, Bergheger 3-5, Rohlfing 2-4, Jones 2-4, Joe Hale 2-3; Capahas, Padilla 3-4. Records -- Valmeyer 3-4, Capahas 1-0.