Semoball

Capahas baseball falls to Printers in semifinals of Mon-Clair League playoffs

Sunglasses rest atop a Capahas hat Sunday, June 17, 2018, during a doubleheader against the Fairview Heights Redbirds at Capaha Field in Cape Girardeau. The Capahas fell in the Mon-Clair League semifinals Sunday, ending their season.
Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian

An excellent first season in the Mon-Clair League came up just short of a chance at something more Sunday.

The Capahas baseball team had two runners on and no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't find a break through as it fell 6-5 to the St. Louis Printers in a semifinal of the Mon-Clair League playoffs in Belleveille, Illinois.

"We put ourselves in a position to win and we just couldn't get the big hit," Capahas manager Tom Bolen said. "Disappointed we didn't win, but we made it to the semifinals. ... That's nothing to shake a stick at your first year."

Brandt Busenbark took the loss on the mound for the Caps, allowing three runs on nine hits in seven innings and leaving with a deficit. He struck out three batters and walked two.

Danny Bodenschatz went 7 1/3 for St. Louis, allowing four runs on five hits with five strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Hayden Helvey hit a home run for the Capahas (25-11), his second of the weekend.

Kelby Brown, playing in his final baseball game before entering the National Guard, was 2-for-4 on the day.

"I'm extremely proud of everybody on this entire team," Bolen said. "We went into a new league not really knowing what to expect. Whether it was the No. 1 guy or the very last guy on the team, everyone contributed. It was a good group of guys to be around. We increased our win total from last year by 12 games. ... You're headed in the right direction.

"We didn't end the season where we wanted to, but it doesn't change the fact that first year in the league, regular-season champs, we took care of business throughout the season. ... There were a lot of positives and we've got a great nucleus coming back."

Capahas 3, Fairview Heights 1

The Capahas had to win a quarterfinal Saturday in order to advance, and took care of business thanks to a complete-game outing by Jackson product Colten Weber.

Weber struck out eight in nine innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and walking three.

The Redbirds got nine innings out of Rob Blumberg, who gave up three runs on six hits with five Ks and four walks.

Helvey had the only extra-base hit of the contest, hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to push the Capahas into the lead and set the final score line.

Brady Wright was 3-for-4 for the Capahas.

St. Louis Printers 6, Capahas 5

Printers100020030--691
Capahas000200030--572

WP -- Danny Bodenschatz. LP --Brandt Busenbark. HR -- Hayden Helvy (C). 2B -- Dean Streed (P) 2. Multiple hits -- Printers: Streed 4-4, Bodenschatz 2-4, Doc Beckwith 2-4; Capahas: Kelby Brown 2-4, Noah Niswonger 2-4.

Capahas 3, Fairview Heights 1

Fairvew Hts.000000100--131
Capahas000100200--360

WP -- Colten Weber. LP -- Rob Blumberg. HR -- Hayden Helvy (C). Multiple hits -- Capahas: Brady Wright 3-4.

Comments
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: