City honors Bolen before Capahas season opener

It was Jess Bolen Night on Friday night as the Plaza Tire Capahas' manager started his 45th season in the dugout.

Two of the baseball team's young rookies, local high school products who have been alive less than half of Bolen's tenure, helped their new skipper enjoy a successful opener.

Dylan Drury doubled twice and drove in two runs, while Tyler Qualls had three RBIs to help the Capahas beat the visiting Valmeyer (Ill.) Lakers 14-7.

"It's a nice way to get the season started," said Bolen, who was feted before Friday's game for his myriad accomplishments, including this year's induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

The on-field ceremony included his family, former players and Cape Girardeau mayor Harry Rediger, who presented Bolen with a plaque from the city.

Capahas outfielder Blake Slattery singles against Valmeyer during the fifth inning Friday at Capaha Field.

"I had nothing to do with it. All the attention is really kind of embarrassing," Bolen said. "But it was very well done and I really appreciate it."

Drury, a Notre Dame Regional High School graduate, recently completed his sophomore season at Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Ill.

Qualls, a Jackson graduate, recently finished his freshman campaign at Division I Louisiana Tech University.

"I thought they both looked good," Bolen said.

Drury earned honorable-mention all-conference honors this year for national junior college power Parkland. He batted .328 while leading the Cobras with seven home runs and adding 52 RBIs.

Drury, who has signed with perennial Division II power Central Missouri State, said he is glad to be with the Capahas after not playing baseball last summer.

"I like to play ball and I'm home for the summer," Drury said. "I know a lot of the players and we've got a good team. It's going to be fun."

Drury, who played second base for Parkland this year, was in left field Friday night. He was 0 for 4 -- being robbed of a hit on a spectacular catch in the outfield during his fourth plate appearance -- before ending the night with consecutive doubles.

"He's got a pretty swing," Bolen said about the left-handed hitting Drury.

Qualls had all three of his RBIs during an eight-run fifth inning that wiped out a 2-0 Valmeyer lead and put the Capahas ahead for good. He had a two-run single and run-scoring fielder's choice.

"It's fun to be home after being seven hours away," Qualls said, referring to the distance to Ruston, La., where Louisiana Tech is located. "I like it there, but I feel comfortable playing at home."

Qualls, who also handled himself well behind the plate, batted .255 while making 13 starts for Louisiana Tech this year. He figures to have a good shot at being the Bulldogs' starting catcher in 2012.

"I thought he did a good job handling himself behind the plate," Bolen said. "That doesn't surprise me. His dad [Bruce, who played at Southeast Missouri State and with the Capahas] was a really good catcher."

A third young rookie and former local high school star, Jake Pewitt, also was in the opening-night lineup in right field. The Notre Dame graduate recently completed his freshman season at Parkland Junior College.

"It's fun to have some new faces and it's fun to work with young guys like that," Bolen said. "We've got a good mix on the team this year -- some young guys, some guys who have been in college a few years and some guys who have been out of college a few years."

The Capahas were outhit 12-10, but they used wood bats while the Lakers swung aluminum.

Returning player Jordan Kimball, at second base after playing shortstop last year, had two hits and three RBIs.

Returning player Kody Campbell, at third base Friday, and shortstop newcomer Kenton Parmley also added two hits apiece. Campbell, an Oran graduate, doubled.

Campbell and Parmley both finished their junior seasons at Southeast Missouri State this year.

Capahas veteran Sean Bard, a Central graduate, had two RBIs.

Brad LaBruyere, among the Capahas' top pitchers the past few years, notched the victory with five solid innings. He allowed five hits and two runs while striking out three and walking two.

Bolen was not about to extend LaBruyere after the lengthy final appearance of his college career.

LaBruyere, a Central graduate who led Southeast with nine victories this year, threw 159 pitches the previous Friday at the Ohio Valley Conference tournament to help the Redhawks win an elimination game.

"Brad deserved to be the opening-night starter because of what he did for us last year," Bolen said. "He threw 74 pitches. I wasn't going to work him too much."

Returning pitcher Kirk Boeller, a Notre Dame graduate who finished his Southeast career this year, was touched for six hits and five runs in three innings.

Jacob Wente, another returning hurler and Southeast product who completed his eligibility this year, allowed one hit during a scoreless ninth inning.

The Capahas' big fifth inning featured just one earned run. Valmeyer helped out with four errors along with two bases-loaded hit batters and a bases-loaded walk. There also were four hits.

It was 8-5 when the Capahas scored three sixth-inning runs on just one hit -- Kimball's two-RBI single. There were four walks and a hit batter in the frame.

The Capahas benefited from five walks and five hit batters along with five errors. They played errorless baseball.

Valmeyer 001 013 020 -- 7 12 5

Capahas 000 083 12X -- 14 10 0

WP -- Brad LaBruyere. LP -- Brade Thoma. 2B -- Derek Gibson (V) 2, Adam Eggemeyer (V), Aaron Floarke (V), Dylan Drury (C) 2, Kody Campbell (C). Multiple hits -- Valmeyer: Sheldon Johns 3-4, Jake Degner 3-5, Floarke 2-3, Eggemeyer 2-4, Gibson 2-5. Capahas: Jordan Kimball 2-4, Kenton Parmley 2-5, Drury 2-6, Campbell 2-6 Records -- Valmeyer 5-3, Capahas 1-0.