Plaza Tire exploded for 15 runs behind 14 hits, 10 walks, four errors

~ The Capahas used wood bats while the Redbirds used aluminum.

The Fairview Heights (Ill.) Redbirds usually field a competitive team, but they came to Cape Girardeau on Saturday lacking quality pitching.

The Plaza Tire Capahas made the visitors pay.

Plaza Tire jumped on Fairview Heights' depleted mound corps for two home runs, four doubles and 14 total hits.

Throw in dominant pitching from Anthony Maupin and Stan Skakalski, and the visiting Redbirds were roasted in the hot sun 15-0. The game was stopped after 6 1/2 innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

Capahas baserunner Dustin Pritchett stole second base safely as the throw eluded both Fairview Heights shortstop L.J. Watson and second baseman John Campbell during their game at Capaha Park on Saturday. (Kit Doyle)

Plaza Tire improved to 18-4 while Fairview Heights fell to 16-9.

"I was really impressed with the way the guys came out with good at-bats," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, whose squad swung wood while the Redbirds hit with aluminum.

Bolen said Fairview Heights manager Ed Emge filled him in on the Redbirds' pitching situation prior to the contest.

Fairview Heights was coming off a second-place finish in the Valmeyer (Ill.) Tournament, where the Redbirds used their top hurlers.

That's why the teams played just one game Saturday, instead of an originally scheduled doubleheader.

Capahas second baseman Omar Padilla tried to complete a double play over Redbirds baserunner Dane Schickendanz during Saturday's game. (Kit Doyle)

"He [Emge] told me they shot all their pitching in the tournament," Bolen said. "They're usually a pretty decent team.

"We play at their place Tuesday night. I guarantee you they'll have a good team ready for us then."

No matter what type of pitching the Capahas faced Saturday, Bolen liked the approach his players had at the plate as they continue to gear up for the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional, which begins Friday.

That event, which the Capahas will host, is a wood-bat tournament, as is the NBC World Series that Plaza Tire has competed in each of the past 25 years.

"It doesn't really matter who's on the mound against you with wood, you have to be disciplined," Bolen said. "The key to wood is you have to keep swinging it.

Capahas pitcher Anthony Maupin delivered against Fairview Heights on Saturday at Capaha Park.

"We've used aluminum a few times this year, but now, with the tournament coming up, it's all wood, no matter what the other team is using. You don't go back now."

Jordan Payne and Asif Shah both homered for the Capahas. They are tied for the team lead in that department with three.

Payne, a right-handed batter, hit a massive first-inning shot over the scoreboard in left field. He went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs, pushing his team-high RBI total to 25.

"I've been struggling a little bit the past few games, so this kind of gets my confidence up," Payne said. "It [the homer] felt really good off the bat. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was gone."

Shah, a left-handed batter, drilled his home run well beyond the right-field fence. He had two hits and two RBIs.

Capahas manager Jess Bolen watched the action from the third-base coach's box Saturday.

"Boy, did Jordan hit that ball. That was some shot with wood," Bolen said. "And Asif also hit his ball really well."

Phillip Riley matched Payne by going 3-for-4, including two doubles. He drove in three runs.

Omar Padilla added a pair of doubles. He tops the squad in that department with 11.

Not only did the Capahas have 14 hits, they benefited from 10 walks -- Fairview Heights used five pitchers -- and four errors.

The three first-inning runs the Capahas scored would have been enough for Maupin and Skakalski.

Maupin, a key pitcher last year, only recently joined the Capahas after he spent two weeks vacationing in South America.

Making his second start and third appearance, Maupin allowed three hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked none, although he hit a batter.

"I felt pretty good," said Maupin, who has not allowed an earned run in 13 1/3 innings. "I've been on a pitch count my first two starts, but hopefully next week I'll extend a little more."

Skakalski, a left-hander who also joined the Capahas late, finished with two perfect innings.

"Both those guys looked good," Bolen said. "Anthony is really coming around."

The Capahas complete a four-game weekend homestand today as the St. Louis Printers visit for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Capahas 15, Fairview Heights 0, 7 innings

F. Heights 000 000 0 -- 0 3 4

Capahas 321 630 X -- 15 14 0

WP -- Anthony Maupin. LP -- Tyler Howes. HR -- Jordan Payne (C), Asif Shah (C). 2B -- Michael Adamson (F), Drew Gericke (F), Phillip Riley (C) 2, Omar Padilla (C) 2. Multiple hits -- Fairview Heights, Adamson 2-3; Capahas, Payne 3-4, Riley 3-4, Shah 2-4, Padilla 2-6. Records -- Fairview Heights 16-9, Capahas 18-4.