Riverdogs look for first victory over Capahas

It will be a battle of Cape Girardeau tonight when the city's two highest-level amateur baseball teams square off in a 7:30 p.m. first pitch at Capaha Field.

The tradition-rich Plaza Tire Capahas bring a record of 4-0 into the contest while the upstart Riverdogs are 2-2. The squads will also meet at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday as part of a tripleheader involving the St. Louis Printers.

"It's good to have the two Cape teams playing, and I think we've built up a pretty decent rivalry with them over the last few years," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

While the Capahas, who have been around since 1894, own an 8-0 all-time record against the sixth-year Riverdogs, three of their five meetings last year went to the wire with the Capahas squeezing out 2-0, 2-1 and 2-1 victories.

"Last year we had several really good games with them. They had a pretty nice team, and I think they have a pretty nice team this year," said Bolen, who has a 1,203-302 record in his 38th season managing the Capahas.

Plaza Tire has featured a stingy pitching staff so far, allowing just 10 runs in four games. Right-hander Jason Chavez, the Capahas' returning ace from Central High School who recently completed a standout season at Southern Illinois University, will start on the mound tonight.

The Riverdogs will likely go with right-hander Steve Fowler, who pitched collegiately at NAIA Briar Cliff in Iowa. Fowler graduated from Shawnee (Ill.) High School.

"We had some really good games with them last year, and I think it's great when the teams play each other," Riverdogs co-manager Robin Minner said.

Tonight's meeting will be one of five regular-season matchups between the Cape teams and will begin a busy home weekend for the Capahas.

Saturday, the Capahas play the Printers in a 4 p.m. doubleheader, then Sunday they face the Printers at about 2:15 p.m, followed by the contest with the Riverdogs. The Riverdogs take on the Printers at noon Sunday.

"I think we should have a good crowd when we play the Riverdogs," Bolen said. "There will be a lot of local talent on the field."