Capahas' hot bats prevail 8-5 on road at Waterloo

The Plaza Tire Capahas remained undefeated Wednesday night by beating what annually ranks among the top teams on their schedule.

The Capahas concluded a stretch of four straight road games with an 8-5 victory at the Waterloo (Ill.) Millers.

"They've always got a really good ballclub," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, whose squad improved to 6-0.

Wednesday's contest, which featured the Capahas swinging wood bats and Waterloo using aluminum, was scoreless through five innings before the Capahas took control with a six-run sixth inning.

They built an 8-0 lead and held off a late rally by the Millers.

The Capahas belted two home runs, giving them six in six games. They also had four doubles among their eight hits.

"A homer a game with wood, that's pretty good," Bolen said. "I told the guys at the start of the season put away the aluminum, we're swinging nothing but wood this year.

"I'm really impressed with the way we're hitting the ball with a lot of authority."

Ky Burgess had a two-run homer to highlight the six-run sixth inning. It was his second home run of the season.

Sean Bard had an RBI double in that frame and his two-run seventh-inning homer put the Capahas ahead 8-0.

"That was a bomb," Bolen said about Bard's home run.

Jordan Underwood pitched the first seven innings for the win.

The left-hander allowed eight hits and one run -- in the seventh -- while striking out eight and walking one.

"He really pitched good," Bolen said. "He worked out of two big jams -- the bases loaded with nobody out and the bases loaded with one out."

Kirk Boeller worked a scoreless eighth inning. Waterloo got four ninth-inning runs, three unearned, off Jacob Wente. Trent Wise recorded the final out for a save.

Catcher Tyler Qualls sparked the Capahas' defense by picking off two runners at second base.

"He played one of the best games I've ever had anybody play for me behind the plate," Bolen said.

The Capahas begin a five-game weekend homestand today with a 7:30 p.m. contest against the St. Louis Printers. They will have 1 p.m. doubleheaders Saturday against the St. Louis Golden Spikes and Sunday against Fairview Heights, Ill.