CAPAHAS BREEZE TO SEASON OPENER 20-6

The Cape Girardeau Kohlfeld Capahas got their 1997 season off to a flying start Friday night.

Getting three home runs and 15 hits, the Capahas routed Chester (Ill.) 20-6 at Capaha Field. The game was stopped after the top of the seventh inning because of the 10-run rule.

"It's good to get the season going," said Capahas' manager Jess Bolen, now in his 31st season at the helm of the team. "We didn't have much competition tonight, but we got some times at bat, we got to play some defense and some guys got to pitch. It was good for that."

Carl Archer led the offensive explosion with four hits and four runs scored. Steve Kress and Cory Crosnoe both had three hits while Tom Breuer and Shawn Pemberton added two apiece.

Crosnoe, Breuer and Pemberton all homered, with Breuer and Pemberton each driving in three runs.

Four pitcher combined on a six-hitter. Starter and winning Ricky Pecaut gave up four hits and all six runs in four innings. Brandon West, Garrett Dunning and Chad Bogenpohl each hurled one scoreless inning.

A six-run first inning got the Capahas going early. Chester came back with three in the second, but the Caps got five in the bottom of the second. After Chester scored three more in the third, the Caps got six in the bottom of the third to lead 17-6. They coasted from there.

The Capahas will return to action Sunday when they travel to St. Louis for a 1:30 p.m. doubleheader with two-time defending National Baseball Congress state champion O.B. Clark.

"We'll see plenty of competition Sunday," Bolen said.