RIVERDOGS FALL, CAPS ROMP IN FIRST GAMES OF NBC TOURNEY

The Cape Girardeau Riverdogs were pounded by the Southern Illinois Diamondbacks 10-1 in the opening game of the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional tournament at Capaha Park Friday evening.

The Riverdogs (2-7), in their first year of existence, had played the Goreville, Ill. team, which improved to 12-9, tough in two previous games. But after giving up five runs in the second inning and four in the third, the game was called in the fifth on the run-rule.

"We had nothing tonight," said Riverdog coach, Robin Minner. "Hopefully, we can come back tomorrow and play better."

In the late game Friday night, the McDowell Capahas cruised past Murphysboro 12-0 in five innings.

Riverdog starter Mike Minner went the distance allowing 13 hits, all singles, and 10 runs.

"We don't have power type hitters," said Shawn Tripp, a former Southeast Missouri State player who coaches and plays for the Diamondbacks, when told all of his team's hits were singles. "In a park this size and using wood bats, we wanted to just put the ball in play."

Minner, who struck out two and walked three, issued a free pass the first batter he faced, Diamondback leftfielder Chad McCann. He was sacrificed to second and later scored on a line single to centerfield. But Minner retired the side without further damage.

Then came the decisive second and third innings when the Diamondbacks pushed across nine runs on nine hits to virtually put the game out of reach.

The Riverdogs were able to manage just two hits, singles by Ross Bennett and Brandon Talbot, off Diamondback starter and winning pitcher, Eric Willis. Willis struck out five, walked none and hit a batter.

The Riverdogs' lone run was unearned. Talbot reached on an error and scored on a throwing error after Bennett's hit.

The Diamondbacks were led by the three hits of third baseman Steve Webb. Shawn Tripp, Bryan Webb, and Kyle Rinella also chipped in with two hits apiece.

The Riverdogs take the field at 1:30 p.m. today against Murphysboro.

Capahas 12, Murphysboro, Ill. 0

The Caps, who will play the Diamondbacks tonight at 8, scored three runs in the first, six in the second and three in the fourth to put away Murphysboro.

Chad Bogenpohl pitched four innings for the victory. He allowed three hits and no walks while striking out four. Billy Huston pitched one perfect inning, striking out two.

Offensively, Kevin Meyer had a big night, going 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Cory Crosnoe was 1-for-1 with three walks and Shane Allen provided a bases-loaded triple.

The Caps pounded out nine hits total.