Riverdogs open with outburst

The Charleston Riverdogs had their hitting shoes on Friday -- in a big way.

As a result, they'll play at 4 p.m. today in the winner's bracket final of the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional.

Charleston pounded out 22 hits -- including six doubles and a home run -- as they pulled away from the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 16-6 in the opening game of the four-team event.

The contest at Capaha Field was stopped in the bottom of the seventh inning by the 10-run mercy rule.

"It was a wild one," Riverdogs co-manager Ray Craft said. "But it's nice to win. The first one is important."

Capahas Coach Jess Bolen talks with his son Tom Bolen before he goes to bat against the Springfield Generals at Capaha Park on Friday, July 13, 2007. (AARON EISENHAUER ~aeisenhauer@semissourian.com)

The Riverdogs (8-11) fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning and trailed 6-5 in the top of the fifth.

But they regained the lead for good with three in the bottom of the fifth.

Ahead 9-6, the Riverdogs ended things early by scoring seven in the seventh.

"It took us a while to get going," Riverdogs co-manager Robin Minner said.

Four Charleston players had perfect days at the plate.

Caleb Hatton went 5-for-5 with a double and three runs batted in.

Andrew DePeder went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. He also delivered a sacrifice fly.

Greg Craft went 4-for-4 with a double, and he also walked; and Cody Hannekin was 3-for-3, along with a walk and being hit by a pitch.

Trevor Irwin doubled twice and had three hits for the Riverdogs.

Patrick Slattery had the game's only home run, a two-run shot in the big seventh inning.

Tim Davis settled down after a somewhat shaky start to pitch all seven innings.

Davis walked the first two batters he faced and allowed three runs in the opening inning, although only one of the runs was earned.

Davis finished giving up nine hits and three earned runs -- the Riverdogs made five errors -- while striking out six and walking two. He did not issue a free pass after the first inning.

"Tim settled down and did a good job," Minner said.

Corey McCoy, Jerome McCullum and Marcus Davis all had two his for the Braves, who will play an elimination game at 1 p.m. today.

Riverdogs 16, Braves 6, 7 innings

Braves 300 120 0 ­- 6 9 2

Riverdogs 302 031 7 - 16 22 5

WP -- Tim Davis. LP -- Winfred Smith. 2B -- Trevor Irwin (R) 2, Dusty Leggett (R), Greg Craft (R), Andrew DePeder (R), Caleb Hatton (R). HR -- Pat Slattery (R). Multiple hits -- Braves, Corey McCoy 2-3, Jerome McCullum 2-3, Marcus Davis 2-4. Riverdogs, Hatton 5-5, Craft 4-4, Andrew DePeder 4-4, Irwin 3-5, Cody Hannekin 3-3.