Capahas ride Chavez's arm past Perryville

Jason Chavez is just 28 years old but he warns people not to be fooled by his age.

"I feel older than I look," he said with a smile.

Chavez may feel old thanks to a busy life that includes a full-time job, a wife and two small children, but his right arm continues to act very young.

Chavez remains one of the Plaza Tire Capahas' top pitchers in his 10th season with the summer baseball team. He fired a four-hit shutout Friday night to help the Capahas beat visiting Perryville 10-0 in a seven-inning run-rule contest.

"I feel good," Chavez said after the Capahas improved to 11-1.

Capahas starting pitcher Jason Chavez delivers to a Perryville batter during the second inning Friday at Capaha Field.

Chavez, a Central High School graduate, had a solid baseball career at Southern Illinois-Carbondale. His collegiate eligibility ended in 2005, but he wants to keep playing as long as he is physically able.

"I really enjoy it. I figure if I have the ability, I may as well use it because one day it's going to be lights out," Chavez said.

Chavez, who works in sales, joked that his two young children "keep me out of shape."

Chavez actually has found the time to remain in relatively solid shape so he's ready to go every summer.

"I try to run, do everything I can when I'm not with the family," Chavez said. "It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I haven't been sore at all."

Capahas infielder Kody Campbell tags out Perryville baserunner Drew Armbruster at third base during the third inning Friday.

Chavez considers himself fortunate that he never has had any type of arm problems.

"I asked him do you ever have a sore arm," said Capahas manager Jess Bolen, whose squad had Saturday's scheduled home doubleheader with Springfield, Ill., rained out and visits the Memphis (Tenn.) Royals today for a doubleheader. "He said maybe back in junior high. He's lucky. Some guys are like that.

"He's been an outstanding pitcher for us over the years. He's a really good guy. He's one of the guys all managers like."

Chavez made his first appearance of the season last Sunday, working four scoreless innings during a win over Fairview Heights, Ill.

Friday's start was his second, and Bolen gave him the green light to work as long as he wanted.

"I felt pretty good last week. I talked to skip and he gave me free reign," Chavez said.

Chavez struck out eight and did not issue a walk. No Perryville player reached third base.

"I'm the kind of guy who gets stronger as the game goes along," said Chavez, who gave up hits in each of the first three innings but allowed just one hit over the final three frames.

The Capahas, who beat the Longhorns 20-1 in seven innings June 7 in Perryville, again had little trouble with the second-year program.

Plaza Tire banged out 16 hits, including solo home runs by Blake Slattery and Dustin Hunter. Slattery's blast was a leadoff shot in the bottom of the first inning that put the Capahas ahead for good.

Slattery went 4 for 4, with a double in addition to the homer. He drove in four runs and scored twice.

Tyler Qualls went 3 for 4 with a double. Kody Campbell went 2 for 2 and walked twice. Hunter and Sean Bard both added two hits.

"They're a really good team, but we're getting better," said Perryville manager Erv Armbruster, whose squad fell to 0-7. "We're having fun."

The Capahas led just 2-0 through three innings before they broke open things with a four-run fourth inning that included Hunter's home run.

It was 9-0 when the Capahas invoked the run rule with a seventh-inning tally. That ended the night for Chavez, who was prepared to continue on the mound.

"I wasn't on a pitch count or anything," Chavez said. "As long as I felt good, I was going to stay out there."

Perryville 000 000 0 -- 0 4 2

Capahas 110 421 1 -- 10 16 1

WP -- Jason Chavez. LP -- Scott Jokerst. HR -- Blake Slattery (C), Dustin Hunter (C). 2B -- Drew Armbruster (P), Slattery (C), Tyler Qualls (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Slattery 4-4, Qualls 3-4, Kody Campbell 2-2, Hunter 2-4, Sean Bard 2-4. Records -- Perryville 0-7, Capahas 11-1.