CAPS' BACKS TO WALL AFTER LOSS TO O.B. CLARK

McDowell Capahas manager Jess Bolen realizes how tough a situation his team now faces as it attempts to win a third straight National Baseball Congress Mid-South Regional title.

"We've got our work cut out for us now," said Bolen.

The host Capahas were sent into the loser's bracket Friday night as O.B. Clark from St. Louis rode an impressive pitching performance to a 7-3 victory in the winner's bracket final at Capaha Field.

O.B. Clark, as the only undefeated squad remaining in the double-elimination event, moves into tonight's 8 o'clock championship game.

Today's tournament action will begin at 1 p.m. as the Southern Illinois Diamondbacks from Goreville play the Fulton Bandits in an elimination game. Then at 4:30 p.m., the Capahas will face the winner of the 1 p.m. contest in another elimination game, with that winner moving into the finals, where it would need to beat O.B. Clark twice.

"We've got to win three games in a row and it's going to be tough," Bolen said. "But we do have the pitching staff to do it."

Bolen knew that beating perennial power O.B. Clark Friday night would be difficult and the St. Louis squad lived up to its billing.

Particularly impressive for O.B. Clark was Adam Oleniziak, who pitched five-hit ball for eight innings. The right-hander struck out three and did not issue a walk, although he did hit two batters. Oleniziak allowed just one hit after the third inning.

"He threw an excellent ballgame," said Bolen of Oleniziak. "He mixed up his pitches so well. That's a big part of pitching, especially with wooden bats (the entire tourney is being played with wooden bats instead of aluminum)."

Mark Frazier hurled a perfect ninth to close out the victory. He fanned two.

The losing pitcher was starter Jeffrey Hilz, who allowed five hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings. He fanned six and walked three.

Matt Palmer gave up three hits and three runs in 1 1/3 innings. He fanned two and walked two.

Brent Self had the most success of the Capaha hurlers, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed one hit, fanned two and walked two.

Scott Hollarah, Reid Hartman and Rick Mundy all had two of O.B. Clark's nine hits. Hartman, Mundy and Tom Broyles each drove in two runs.

Five different players accounted for the Capahas' five hits. Steve Kress had two RBIs while Darin Kinsolving drove in the other run.

"Their pitcher was tough," said Kinsolving. "He really threw a good game."

Said Bolen, "It's hard to win with five hits. If we don't hit the ball batter (today), we'll be out quick."

O.B. Clark scored a run in the top of the first inning, but the Capahas got two in the bottom of the frame and made it 3-1 in the third. But they produced just one hit and had only three base runners the rest of the way.

The visitors took control with a five-run fifth inning that featured four hits as they knocked out Hilz and also hit Palmer hard. Broyles had the big blow, a two-run double, while Hartman, Mundy and Jack Tippee all added RBI hits.