Capahas baseball team falter vs. host in third-place game

A familiar face played a key role in the Plaza Tire Capahas' defeat Wednesday.

Southeast Missouri State's Derek Gibson, who stared 46 games and batted .338 for the Redhawks this spring, went 4 for 4 with two homers to help lead Valmeyer, Ill., past the Capahas 9-6 in the third-place game at the Valmeyer tournament.

"He had a great day against us," Capahas manager Jess Bolen said.

The Capahas opened a 6-4 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Mark Hagedorn belted a two-run homer in the inning.

But Capahas starter Logan Holthaus developed a blister on his toe after pitching six innings.

"It was probably as big as a dime, so I had to take him out," Bolen said.

Holthaus allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks. He struck out four over six innings.

Trey Bazzell relieved Holthaus and gave up four runs after facing just four batters. Valmeyer added another run in the eighth against him.

"He just didn't have it," Bolen said.

Bazzell took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits with one strikeout over two innings.

The Capahas (17-4) finished with 10 hits compared to 12 for Valmeyer. Jordan Kimball, Sean Bard, Kody Campbell and Brandon Bennett all had two hits in the loss.

The Capahas return to action Friday when they host Perryville at 7 p.m.