Capahas roll to sweep

The Plaza Tire Capahas split a tightly contested doubleheader with the St. Louis Kings last season.

That had Plaza Tire manager Jess Bolen anticipating two more tough games Sunday when the Kings paid another visit to Cape Girardeau.

But the Capahas are on a roll these days as they have been gaining the services of many of the key players they are counting on.

The Kings felt Plaza Tire's wrath as the Capahas swept the doubleheader 13-1 and 9-0. The opener ended after five innings by way of the 10-run mercy rule while the nightcap went the full seven innings.

"I expected some good games today," said Bolen, whose squad lost to the Kings 3-0 and beat them 3-1 a year ago. "I figured it would be tougher to score than it was.

"But that's a pretty tough lineup to pitch to. We're starting to look like we can. We looked good."

The Capahas looked good all weekend as Sunday's romps came on the heels of Friday's 18-3 rout of the Charleston Riverdogs. Plaza Tire improved to 5-2.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Capahas first baseman Josh Eftink caught a throw for the out as St. Louis Kings baserunner Brandon Smith raced toward the base during the first game Sunday at Capaha Field.

"We're knocking the heck out of the ball and we're getting good pitching," Plaza Tire catcher/designated hitter Levi Olson said. "It was a good weekend for us."

The Capahas played last weekend without several key performers. They split four games to open the season.

For Friday's contest, the Capahas added two former professional players and all-conference Southeast Missouri State products in shortstop Zach Borowiak and third baseman Denver Stuckey.

On Sunday, another former all-conference Southeast player -- second baseman Omar Padilla -- joined the fold.

Asif Shah talked with Capahas manager Jess Bolen in the dugout during Sunday's doubleheader at Capaha Field.

Padilla, who played for the Capahas last summer after completing his eligibility at Southeast in 2007, recently left the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Kings independent pro team after receiving little playing time.

Padilla immediately made his presence felt by going 3-for-3 in Sunday's opener, including a triple, double and four runs scored.

"It's nice to have Omar back," said Bolen, who also soon will add the services of first baseman Matt Wagner, all-conference as a Southeast junior this year. "What an infield that's going to be, with Stuckey at third, Borowiak at short, Padilla at second and Wagner at first."

After getting 17 hits Friday -- including seven for extra bases -- the Capahas added 20 more hits Sunday, including five doubles and three triples. And all that offense came with wood bats.

The Capahas have 10 triples in their first seven games, after getting 12 triples in 40 games last season.

"Look at our lineup. We've got so many studs," said Olson, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in Sunday's opener. He finished the twin bill with three doubles and a single.

Stuckey went 3-for-3 in the nightcap, while Borowiak and Jerry Hodges each added two hits.

Plaza Tire's pitching and defense were just as good as its offense. The Capahas limited the Kings to seven hits, all singles.

The Kings grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the opener, then saw the Capahas score 22 consecutive runs.

Anthony Maupin went all five innings of the first game, allowing two hits. He struck out five and walked five.

Phillip Riley worked the first five innings of the nightcap for the win, allowing three hits while striking out seven and walking three.

Cameron Heath and Josh Parham each allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to finish off the shutout.

"They all pitched well," Bolen said.

The Capahas made one error in the 12 innings, that coming in the day's final frame after Bolen had pulled most of his regulars.

Plaza Tire came up with several highlight reel plays.

"It was just a good day all around for us," Bolen said. "We've still got a long way to go, but I like the potential of this team as we keep getting all our players together."

The second-game loser was Brandon Smith, who starred with Borowiak and Stuckey on Southeast's 2002 team that posted the only NCAA Division I regional victory in program history.

Smith won 12 games that season, including the regional triumph over Alabama.

Smith was selected in the 18th round of the 2002 draft by Boston. He spent some time in the Red Sox organization and also pitched some independent pro ball before retiring a few years ago.

After the Capahas touched up Smith for nine runs -- six earned -- over the first two innings, he fired off four straight shutout frames.

"It was good to see those guys and good to be back here, but it wasn't good to get hit like that," Smith said. "I haven't pitched much the last few years. I've been sitting at my desk [working in St. Louis] and [the Kings] asked me if I wanted to pitch."

The Capahas play their first two road games this week, Wednesday at the St. Louis Golden Spikes and Thursday at the Charleston Riverdogs. Both contests are set for 7:30 p.m.

Capahas 13, Kings 1, 5 inn.

Kings 100 00 -- 1 2 5

Capahas 341 23 -- 13 8 0

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:WP -- Anthony Maupin. LP -- Matt Boyer. 3B -- Omar Padilla (C). 2B -- Padilla (C), Levi Olson (C) 2. Multiple hits -- Capahas: Padilla 3-3, Olson 3-4. Records -- Capahas 4-2, Kings 2-4.

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Capahas 9, Kings 0

Kings 000 000 0 -- 0 5 2

Capahas 360 000 x -- 9 12 1

@z_agate_no tab_no indnt_bld ld:WP -- Phillip Riley. LP -- Brandon Smith. 3B -- Denver Stuckey (C), Zach Borowiak (C). 2B -- Levi Olson (C), Jerry Hodges (C). Multiple hits -- Kings: Seth Reeder 2-4; Capahas: Stuckey 3-3, Borowiak 2-3, Hodges 2-3. Records -- Capahas 5-2, Kings 2-5.