Rusty Capahas sweep St. Louis Printers in doubleheader

The Plaza Tire Capahas fell behind early in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader.

But the Capahas, despite less than stellar play, made up those deficits to sweep the seven-inning contests against the visiting St. Louis Printers 5-4 and 10-3.

That capped a three-game series with the Printers, including Friday night's 3-2, 10-inning victory.

"These are good wins for us right now," Jordan Kimball said.

The Capahas, who had played just twice in three weeks before Friday, improved to 14-3. That's despite making 10 errors in the three games, including seven Saturday.

Capahas outfielder Blake Slattery hits a double during the fifth inning of Saturday's first game. (Fred Lynch)

"It's tough when you're not playing on a regular basis," Kimball said. "Hopefully we can get in a groove now."

Capahas manager Jess Bolen lauded the Printers (6-15), who had half as many errors -- five -- and were highly competitive in all three games.

"I thought they played pretty decent," Bolen said. "All three games were close to the end. Even the second one today, it was just 4-3 until we broke it open in the fourth inning [with six runs].

"It's good to win. We started hitting the ball a little better that second game."

The Capahas appeared headed for a routine first-game victory Saturday when they carried a 4-2 lead into the seventh inning.

After the first two Printers batters were retired, a single, hit batter and wild pitch put men on second on third. An error allowed both runners to score.

The Capahas then won it in the bottom of the seventh. Sean Bard led off with a walk, Kody Campbell singled and Trent Wise -- normally a pitcher who was pressed into action because the Capahas were short-handed -- sacrificed with two strikes.

"I love being out there," said Wise, who came on late in the opener and started in right field during the nightcap, driving in a run and walking twice. "I used to play the outfield. It's fun."

Tyler Qualls' ground ball to second base drove in Bard with the game-ending run as he barely beat a throw home.

That made a winner of Kimball, normally the Capahas' second baseman who relieved Anthony Maupin to begin the sixth inning.

Kimball, who appeared headed for a save until the Printers rallied, was impressive on the mound. He struck out three in two innings, allowing just the two unearned runs.

"He's got good stuff, a good breaking ball," Bolen said.

Kimball, a former Arkansas State shortstop, said he pitched some for the Red Wolves as a sophomore. Saturday marked his first mound appearance during his second season with the Capahas.

"I felt good," he said. "I'm trying to get my arm back in shape for the NBC tournament [in Wichita, Kan.]."

Maupin allowed two runs, one earned, and five hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Ky Burgess went 3 for 3. Bard had two of the Capahas' 10 hits and scored three runs. Qualls drove in a pair.

Saturday's nightcap contained no suspense after the Capahas' six-run fourth inning blew open things.

Bryan Waldrop pitched four innings for the victory. He allowed all three runs and three hits while striking out two and walking three.

Dustin Hunter worked the final three innings for a save. He gave up just one hit, struck out four and walked one.

"I thought all our pitchers did a pretty decent job, especially since they hadn't thrown in a while," Bolen said.

The Capahas also had 10 second-game hits. Bard again went 2 for 3.

Kimball had two hits, giving him three on the day. Kenton Parmley had two hits in the nightcap to finish with three on the day. Parmley homered, drove in two runs and scored three times.

Jake Pewitt added two hits and two RBIs. Blake Slattery had two RBIs, giving him three in the twin bill.

The Capahas close a five-game weekend homestand today with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Perryville.

Game 1

Printers 000 110 2 -- 4 6 1

Capahas 010 030 1 -- 5 10 5

WP -- Jordan Kimball. LP -- Josh Donnell. 2B -- John Guyre (P), Ky Burgess (C), Blake Slattery (C). Multiple hits -- Printers: Guyre 2-3. Capahas: Burgess 3-3, Bard 2-3. Records -- Printers 6-14, Capahas 13-3.

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Game 2

Printers 201 000 0 -- 3 4 3

Capahas 130 600 x -- 10 10 2

WP -- Bryan Waldrop. LP -- Rich Kathriner. HR -- Kenton Parmley (C). 2B -- Mark Cantenzano (P), Blake Slattery (C). Multiple hits -- Printers: John Guyre 2-2. Capahas: Parmley 2-4, Sean Bard 2-3, Jake Pewitt 2-4, Jordan Kimball 2-5. Records -- Printers 6-15, Capahas 14-3.