Win streak hits 10, ends with 14-4 loss

~ Plaza Tire dropped its second game for its first loss this season.

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- Even as the Plaza Tire Capahas pounded one opponent after another, manager Jess Bolen figured his team would eventually taste defeat.

That time finally came Wednesday during the second game of a doubleheader as the Henderson (Tenn.) Diamond Cats beat the Capahas 14-4. The contest, scheduled for seven innings, was stopped after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.

In the seven-inning first game, the Capahas pushed their season-opening winning streak to 10 with a 4-2 victory.

"We probably had a game like that coming," Bolen said of Wednesday's defeat. "In baseball, you're not going to go undefeated. It was a good run for us, but it was bound to end some time.

"And they [the Diamond Cats] were a pretty good team."

The Capahas used wood bats Wednesday while the Diamond Cats swung aluminum. Normally, when the opposition uses aluminum, so does Plaza Tire.

"We really need to swing with wood as much as possible," said Bolen, noting that the Capahas have to be as prepared as they can for the National Baseball Congress regional and national tournaments, which are played only with wood bats. "But boy, when a team gets on a roll with aluminum, you know how it is. It's hard to stop."

In the opener, the Capahas trailed 2-1 until the sixth inning, when they went ahead for good with three runs.

Daryl Graham singled, Jordan Payne doubled and Dustin Pritchett drove in both runners with a double. Zach Johnson completed the rally with an RBI single.

Johnson and Zach Blemker both had two of Plaza Tire's eight hits.

Jason Chavez pitched all seven innings for the win. He allowed three hits, two walks and struck out two.

The Capahas scored three first-inning runs in the nightcap, but the Diamond Cats exploded for eight second-inning runs and the rout was on.

Shayne Mabury took the loss. He was knocked out in the second inning after being charged with six runs. Plaza Tire relievers also found little success.

The Capahas had seven hits -- no player had more than one -- while Henderson banged out 14 hits.

The Capahas will look to get back on a roll this weekend when they have two home doubleheaders, against Wayne County, Ill., at 1 p.m. Saturday and Springfield, Ill., at 2 p.m. Sunday.