Capahas avenge season's first loss

DYERSBURG, Tenn. -- On June 13, the Henderson (Tenn.) Diamond Cats handed the Plaza Tire Capahas their first loss of the season by winning the second game of a doubleheader.

The Capahas avenged that defeat in a big way Wednesday night, routing the Diamond Cats 11-1. The contest, played at a neutral site, was stopped after eight innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

Plaza Tire, which has won two of the three meetings with Henderson this year, improved to 14-3.

"They beat us 14-4, after we had beaten them in the opener, for our first loss after 10 straight wins," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said. "And they were stealing bases late in that game, so it's nice to get this one, especially the way we did."

The Capahas banged out 13 hits, led by Daryl Graham's 5-for-5 performance that featured a home run, double, four runs batted in and three runs scored.

"He had a night," Bolen said.

Zach Blemker doubled twice and went 3-for-5, while Dustin Pritchett added two hits.

Two Plaza Tire pitchers limited the Diamond Cats to three hits and an unearned run.

Winner Phillip Riley worked six shutout innings. He struck out nine, walked three and allowed two hits.

Anthony Maupin, seeing his first action of the season after recently re-joining the squad, allowed one hit and the unearned run in two innings. He fanned one and walked none.

"Phillip really threw well, and Anthony looked great for his first time out," Bolen said.

The Capahas blew things open early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning and plating four more in the second.

Plaza Tire returns to action Saturday at Springfield, Ill.

Capahas 11, Henderson (Tenn.) 1, 8 innings

Henderson 000 000 01 -- 1 3 1

Capahas 340 020 02 -- 11 13 1

WP -- Phillip Riley. HR -- Daryl Graham (C). 2B -- Graham (C), Zach Blemker (C) 2. Multiple hits -- Capahas, Graham 5-5, Blemker 3-5, Dustin Pritchett 2-4. Records -- Capahas 14-3.