Capahas open season with home victory

Capahas catcher John Amschler looks to the umpire after tagging out Riverdogs baserunner Caleb Daughetee during the fourth inning Sunday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Plaza Tire Capahas weren't quite in midseason form Sunday.

But that didn't prevent them from opening the 2009 season with a lopsided win.

Plaza Tire continued to torment the Charleston Riverdogs, routing the visitors 13-0 at Capaha Field.

The Capahas have won 34 of the 35 all-time meetings with the Riverdogs.

Capahas baserunner Matt Wagner tries to score, but Riverdogs catcher Greg Craft beat him to the plate during the first inning Sunday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

"We didn't look that great, but it's the first game. That's what you normally expect," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "We didn't kick the ball, but we'll have to hit better."

One of the night's highlights came before the game, when Bolen and his wife Mary were honored on the field.

Bolen knew he would be recognized by several of his former players for being inducted into the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame at least year's NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Bolen, who entered his 43rd season in charge of the Capahas with an astounding 1,338-348 record, was given a commemorative bat. His wife Mary received the same gift.

"It was great," Bolen said. "I don't need the individual recognition. That's not what I've been in this for. But it was just nice to see those guys."

Matt Wagner is congratulated after his three-run homer for the Plaza Tire Capahas in the sixth inning against the Riverdogs Sunday at Capaha Field. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

What Bolen didn't know is that Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson also would be on hand to present the Bolens with a proclamation from the city, which he read to the crowd. Knudtson also threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"I didn't know anything about that stuff," Bolen said. "It was a nice gesture and we really appreciate it."

As for what happened in the game, things weren't very eventful.

Charleston hung tough for a while, trailing 1-0 through three innings.

The Capahas finally began to break open things, first taking advantage of Charleston's five errors and later getting their offense going. Plaza Tire's first seven runs were unearned.

Capahas manager Jess Bolen receives a proclamation from Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson, right, during a ceremony before Sunday's game. Bolen stands with his wife, Mary. [Click to enlarge]

"We've only had two practices and some of those guys didn't had a bat in their hands since last August," said Bolen, referring to his players who have been done with college baseball for a while.

One of the Capahas who is coming off his senior season at Southeast Missouri State did the most damage at the plate.

Matt Wagner, a star first baseman for the Redhawks, went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and four RBIs.

Wagner's three-run homer highlighted the Capahas' four-run sixth inning that made it 7-0 and broke things wide open.

"It didn't take Wagner long," Bolen said.

Capahas pitcher Brad LaBruyere delivers during Sunday's game. [Click to enlarge]

Wagner acknowledged that a player just coming off a college season has an advantage, especially swinging the wood bats that the Capahas use.

"In summer ball, swinging wood, sometimes it takes time to get going for some of the guys," Wagner said.

Wagner said he was happy to resume competition less than two weeks after his Southeast career ended.

"It's always nice not having a big break, to keep it going," said Wagner, whose season with the Capahas has a chance to be cut short if a professional opportunity presents itself.

Denver Stuckey, a former Southeast standout and Kelly High School product who has been out of college baseball for a while, tripled and had two hits. He delivered two RBIs.

Josh Eftink, a Notre Dame graduate who starred at Division II Central Missouri State several years ago, also had two of Plaza Tire's 10 hits.

Four pitchers combined on a four-hitter.

Brad LaBruyere, a Central graduate who completed his sophomore season at Southeast this year, got the win. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.

Ryan Poole, Todd Strahlendorf and Josh Parham finished off the shutout with one inning apiece.

Poole and Strahlendorf completed their Southeast eligibility this year, while Jackson product Parham used to pitch for the Redhawks.

"LaBruyere pitched well and the other guys did a good job," Bolen said.

Oran product Trevor Irwin had two hits for the Riverdogs.

The Capahas return to action Friday night with a home game against Valmeyer, Ill.

WP -- Brad LaBruyere, 1-0. LP -- Alex Chasteen, 0-1. HR -- Matt Wagner (C). 3B -- Denver Stuckey (C). 2B -- Trevor Irwin (R), Wagner (C). Multiple hits -- Riverdogs, Irwin 2-4; Capahas, Wagner 3-4, Stuckey 2-4, Josh Eftink 2-5. Records -- Capahas 1-0, Riverdogs 0-1.