CAPAHAS FALL TO POTENT KANSAS TEAM

WICHITA, Kan. -- The Hays (Kan.) Larks entered the 67th annual National Baseball Congress World Series as one of the teams to beat in the prestigious tournament.

The Craftsman Union Capahas probably have no argument with that assessment after suffering a 7-1 loss to the Larks Sunday night in the second round of the 48-team event.

Craftsman Union, which began NBC World Series play by holding off Piedras Negras of Mexico 5-3 in a game that ended well past midnight Saturday, remains alive in the double-elimination tournament.

The Capahas, who fell to 31-8 and had a 13-game winning streak snapped, will return to Cape Girardeau today before venturing back to Wichita for their next tourney game Saturday.

J.P. Gagne, who was one of the starting pitchers for nationally-ranked Notre Dame this spring, was the primary thorn in the Capahas' side. Gagne improved to 9-0 as he hurled a five-hitter and struck out 12 while walking one.

"He is an outstanding pitcher," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen.

Richie Phillips suffered the loss as he was knocked out in the fourth. In three-plus innings, Phillips was charged with six runs.

Reliever Kyle Perry hurled six stellar innings, allowing one run.

"I thought Kyle was tremendous," said Bolen.

The Larks (40-12) had 12 hits and committed no errors while the Capahas made four errors.

Hays used five hits to score four runs in the second inning. The Capahas' got their only run in the bottom of the second on Josh Eftink's RBI double. The Larks got two runs in the fourth and their final tally in the ninth.

McDonald stands out

Tristen McDonald went 5-for-5 and drove in three runs to lead the win over Piedras Negras. He became the first player in the tourney to get five hits in a game since 1982.

"Tristen just had a great game," said Bolen. "The tournament record is six hits and only two guys have done that in 66 years."

Denver Stuckey had two hits and scored three runs while Steve Kress and Shawn Yarbrough added two hits apiece for the Capahas, who finished with 13 hits.

Lanson Debrock was the winning pitcher. He worked the first 8 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. Debrock struck out five and walked three.

"The first part of the game Lanson was up too much, but after the third inning he really started settling in," Bolen said.

Brad Purcell allowed a hit but retired the final two batters as he earned a save.