Plaza Tire advances in regional

The Plaza Tire Capahas began their quest for a fifth consecutive National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional title with a victory.

They largely can thank Brad LaBruyere for that.

LaBruyere pitched a three-hitter as the Capahas beat the stubborn Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 4-0 on Friday night in the opening game of the three-team, double-elimination tournament at Capaha Field.

The winner receives an automatic bid to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., an event the Capahas have qualified for the past 27 years.

"It's always important to win the first game in any tournament, especially this one," LaBruyere said. "It's a big tournament for us. It decides whether we go to Wichita or not."

Capahas batter Drew Pixley motions for a teammate to advance to second base on a wild pitch against Pine Bluff, Ark., during the second inning Friday at Capaha Field. (Elizabeth Dodd)

The Capahas (13-8) advance to play the Charleston Riverdogs today at 1 p.m. in the winners bracket final. Charleston received a first-round bye through a random draw.

The loser of today's opening game will face Pine Bluff (18-5) at about 4 p.m. in an elimination contest that will whittle down the tournament to two teams.

If the elimination-game winner was playing in its first game of the day, the championship would follow at about 7:30 p.m. If needed, a second title contest would take place at a time to be determined Sunday afternoon.

If the elimination game winner was playing in its second contest of the day, the championship would be held at a time to be determined Sunday afternoon. A second title game would follow.

LaBruyere turns in gem

Capahas third baseman Matt Wagner throws to first for an out during the sixth inning.

"Brad pitched a great game and we got just enough offense," Plaza Tire's Matt Wagner said. "When you have a pitcher throwing like that, you'll win a lot of games."

LaBruyere, a former Central High School star who recently completed his sophomore season at Southeast Missouri State, continued his impressive summer.

LaBruyere improved to 5-1 as he hurled his second shutout of the season but his first that covered nine innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

"I pretty much went with my fastball," LaBruyere said. "Nothing unusual."

LaBruyere walked two batters in the first inning, then did not issue another free pass. He faced just two batters over the minimum in the final eight frames.

"Brad is just a good pitcher. He really knows how to pitch," Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen said. "He keeps the ball down and works ahead in the count."

Pine Bluff's Chance Cleveland wasn't far behind LaBruyere.

Cleveland, who pitched this year for Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., allowed six hits and three earned runs in eight innings. He struck out 10, walked six and hit two batters.

"That kid pitched a good ballgame," Bolen said. "He's got a live arm."

Plaza Tire continued its domination of Pine Bluff as the Capahas never have lost to the Braves in their numerous regional matchups.

But Friday's victory did not come without a struggle, just as Bolen had predicted.

"They've gotten better the last few years," Bolen said. "It was a good ballgame. They didn't kick it around and we played well defensively."

The Braves committed two errors while the Capahas did not have an error.

Wagner at third

Wagner, who has played third base much of the summer after being a first baseman during his Southeast career, turned in several impressive plays.

"He looks good over there," Bolen said.

Wagner, who completed his eligibility at Southeast this year, said he was a third baseman and shortstop for much of his career before suffering a knee injury at Nebraska, after which he was moved to first base.

"I feel pretty comfortable there," said Wagner, who transferred from Nebraska to Southeast and played his final three collegiate seasons with the Redhawks.

Wagner also had two hits, as did Jeremy Patton. Patton doubled and scored twice. Wagner, Patton, Sean Bard and Josh Eftink all drove in runs.

Patton's sacrifice fly in the second inning gave Plaza Tire a 1-0 lead. It became 3-0 in the fifth as Wagner had an RBI single and Bard delivered a sacrifice fly. Eftink's RBI single in the seventh completed the scoring.

Plaza Tire will look to continue its domination of the Riverdogs, who have lost 38 of 39 all-time meetings with the Capahas, in today's game.

That includes an 0-5 record against Plaza Tire this year, although the Riverdogs hung tough in two of the games, losing 4-3 and 4-2.

"I don't expect an easy game by any means," Bolen said.

Braves 000 000 000 -- 0 3 2

Capahas 010 020 10x -- 4 6 0

WP -- Brad LaBruyere, 5-1. LP -- Chance Cleveland. 2B -- Earl White (B), Jeremy Patton (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas, Patton 2-3, Matt Wagner 2-4. Records -- Braves 18-5, Capahas 13-8.