Smith fans 12 in Capahas baseball team's 8-3 road win

Zach Smith turned in an impressive performance on the mound to lead the Plaza Tire Capahas to an 8-3 victory over host Valmeyer, Ill., on Saturday.

Smith struck out 12 and walked three in a complete-game effort.

"Zach Smith was in command pretty well the whole game," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "I really thought he pitched well. He was around the plate all day long."

Smith, who pitched at Southeast Missouri State in the spring, tossed his third nine-inning complete game for the Capahas.

"It's hard to do in today's world to get a nine-inning complete game on any level," Bolen said.

Two of the three runs Smith allowed were earned.

"He had a real good moving fastball today," Bolen said. "I talked to him during the game, and I don't know if I've seen him throw harder than this with SEMO or me or anybody. He was just bringing the heat pretty good today."

The Capahas struck for three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth to take command. They added three in the seventh.

Joe Campbell went 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Logan Bartels went 4 for 5 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Capahas.

Brandon Bennett added two hits and an RBI to help the Capahas improve to 21-4.

Ben Tomah, who starred at Eastern Illinois, hit two solo homers for Valmeyer.

The Capahas return to action today when they travel to Springfield, Ill., for a doubleheader.