Weekend sweep eludes Capahas

After the way the teams battled during Saturday's doubleheader, it was only fitting that Sunday's final game of the series also went to the wire.

The Plaza Tire Capahas were denied a series sweep -- barely -- as the Crestwood (Ill.) Panthers squeezed out a 4-3 victory at steamy Capaha Field.

That came after the Capahas won both ends of Saturday's twin bill, 4-3 in 12 innings and 2-0.

"It was a great series," Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen said.

And it pitted two squads with rich traditions in the world of amateur baseball.

The Capahas' Clint Cashen scores during the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Crestwood Panthers at Capaha Field. Crestwood won 4-3. (Laura Simon)

While the Capahas have made 28 straight appearances at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., the Panthers also are an annual fixture at that prestigious tournament.

Crestwood, a suburb of Chicago, finished fifth at last year's NBC World Series. The Panthers were second in 2008 and third in 2007.

"They've got a very good program and so do we," Bolen said. "It's been fun playing them the last few years."

The Capahas (10-4) and Panthers (6-5) played a three-game set in Cape Girardeau for the third straight season. Crestwood took two of three last summer after the Capahas posted a sweep in 2008.

"All of these were hard-fought games, all really close," Plaza Tire's Drew Pixley said of this year's matchup. "Our pitching was really good and so was their pitching."

Pitching certainly dominated the wood-bat series as the teams combined for just 16 runs in 28 innings. The Capahas held a 9-7 scoring edge in the three games.

"I was really impressed with our pitching," Bolen said. "Their pitchers also threw very well."

The Capahas won both games Saturday despite being outhit in each contest, collecting only 10 hits in the 18 innings.

Plaza Tire managed that many hits in nine innings Sunday as the Capahas outhit the Panthers 10-9 only to fall short.

"We got outhit the first two games and beat them. They got outhit today and they won. It's the luck of the draw I guess," Pixley said.

The Capahas might have been celebrating a series sweep had it not been for a sensational, game-saving catch by Crestwood.

Trailing 4-3, Plaza Tire had runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Dustin Hunter sent a rocket to left field that looked like it would clear Matt Kucharski. But Kucharski retreated quickly and made a tumbling, circus catch to end the inning and preserve the lead.

"We hit the ball hard but just didn't get any breaks this last game," Bolen said. "Their guy made a great catch. That's two runs if he doesn't catch that and we go ahead."

The Capahas were denied another lengthy outing by a starting pitcher when Brad LaBruyere was forced to leave with two outs in the second inning.

Bolen said LaBruyere's "back was tightening up. That's when you can hurt your arm. He didn't want to come out but you have to do what's best for the kid."

LaBruyere, who allowed a first-inning run, gave up three hits and struck out two.

Justin Simpher was solid, allowing three hits and two runs in 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three and did not issue a walk.

Jacob Wente also threw well, giving up three hits and a run in three innings, although he took the loss.

"Justin and Jacob both came in and did a good job," Bolen said.

The Panthers scored the eventual winning run in the seventh inning without the benefit of a hit. Two walks, a sacrifice and an RBI groundout put Crestwood ahead for good.

Pixley, Hunter, Jordan Kimball, Clint Cashen and Blake Gaddis all had two hits for the Capahas.

The Capahas now face four straight road games, including 7:30 p.m. contests Wednesday at Fairview Heights, Ill., and Thursday at Perryville.

Panthers 102 000 100 -- 4 9 1

Capahas 100 200 000 -- 3 10 2

WP -- Ryan Westover. LP -- Jacob Wente. 3B -- Brandon Howard (P). 2B -- Tom Lally (P), Tim Storrs (P), Adam Nykiel (P). Multiple hits -- Panthers: Howard 2-3, Lally 2-4, Storrs 2-5. Capahas: Jordan Kimball 2-4, Drew Pixley 2-4, Clint Cashen 2-4, Blake Gaddis 2-4, Dustin Hunter 2-4. Records -- Panthers 6-5, Capahas 10-4.