Two and out- Riverdogs' season ends

After beating the Capahas earlier this year for the first time ever, the Cape Girardeau Riverdogs entered the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional with high hopes.

Instead, they were bounced from the four-team tournament in two games, becoming the first squad to be eliminated. After being hammered Friday by the Pine Bluff (Ark.) Braves 11-0 in seven innings, the Riverdogs fell Saturday to the St. Louis Toros 4-2.

"It wasn't a good tournament for us," admitted Riverdogs co-coach Robin Minner. "We hadn't played in 12 days [prior to the tournament] and that hurt us, but that's not an excuse."

After the Braves ripped the Riverdogs' pitching to the tune of 17 hits, the Cape squad fared much better on the mound against the Toros, who had nine hits.

But the Riverdogs' lack of offense was glaring in both games. They managed just five hits in each contest, eight of them singles.

"We just didn't hit the ball the whole tournament," Minner said. "We just went into a funk. Two runs in 16 innings won't get it done."

Saturday, the Toros broke a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning on a two-run single with two outs by Jason Harris, the first batter to face Riverdogs' reliever Ryan Dailey.

Tim Davis took the loss as he was charged with all four runs -- three earned -- in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits.

"Our pitching was good enough today," Minner said.

The Riverdogs finished their seventh season of play with a 5-12 record. They have still not posted a winning campaign, but Minner said that won't deter him, co-coach Ray Craft or the players.

"We'll be back next year," Minner said with a smile.