Versatile Poole delivers as starter in 10-3 victory

~ Plaza Tire took advantage of some Charleston miscues.

Ryan Poole was glad to get the ball in the game that could send the Plaza Tire Capahas into the title round of the National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional.

"I like being in a position knowing I have an opportunity to help the team," Poole said.

Poole came through with six strong innings Saturday afternoon as the Capahas eased past the Charleston Riverdogs 10-3 in the winners bracket final at Capaha Field.

Poole allowed an unearned run and four hits. He struck out five and walked one.

"I had great command of my fastball," Poole said. "I got ahead early in the count."

Poole recently completed a solid two-year career at Southeast Missouri State, where he almost exclusively was used as a reliever.

Poole has been among the Capahas' top starters while also appearing some in relief so far this season.

"I love it," Poole said of starting. "You set your own pace."

He has been solid for the Capahas regardless of the role he has performed.

"Ryan has really pitched well for us," Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen said. "Today he had another good game."

The Capahas took advantage of three second-inning errors by the Riverdogs to score five unearned runs in the frame despite having only one hit.

Charleston, which has lost 39 of 40 all-time meetings with the Capahas, including an 0-6 mark this year, never recovered.

"I was hoping we could get some runs early," Poole said. "It helped me settle down."

The shaky defense negated a solid performance by Charleston ace Justin Simpher, who went the distance. He allowed 10 hits and five earned runs.

Simpher also hit a two-run homer later in the day during an 11-2 loss to Pine Bluff, Ark., in the losers bracket final as the Riverdogs went 0-2 in the three-team tournament.

Jeremy Patton, Matt Wagner and Kendal Deason all had two hits for the Capahas.

Patton doubled, scored two runs and drove in a pair. Deason scored twice, Wagner tripled and Daryl Graham added two RBIs.

"Justin is a very good pitcher," said Bolen of a hurler who used to play for the Capahas. "We didn't exactly hammer him. They helped us out early and we got some timely hits later in the game."

Charleston, which had six hits, got its big blow from Paul Johnson -- a two-run homer in the seventh inning off reliever Kirk Boeller. But that only trimmed Plaza Tire's lead to 10-3.

Drew Graham, who recently joined the Capahas along with older brother Daryl, struck out the side in the eighth inning. Josh Parham then worked a scoreless ninth.

Johnson and Taylor White both had two hits for the Riverdogs.

Riverdogs 001 000 200 -- 3 6 4

Capahas 050 401 00x -- 10 10 2

WP -- Ryan Poole. LP -- Justin Simpher. HR -- Paul Johnson (R). 3B -- Matt Wagner (C). 2B -- Jeremy Patton (C). Multiple hits -- Riverdogs: Johnson 2-4, Taylor White 2-4; Capahas: Patton 2-3, Kendal Deason 2-3, Wagner 2-5. Records -- Capahas 14-8.