CHAFFEE DROPS OPENER AT STATE

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Kirksville exacted a measure of revenge against Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy Thursday night in the opening game of the Senior American Legion State Tournament.

Kirksville knocked Chaffee into the loser's bracket of the four-team, double-elimination event with a 9-6 victory at the University of Missouri's Taylor/Simmons Field.

Two years ago, during the Junior Legion state tourney, Chaffee handed Kirksville a pair of narrow defeats, including one in extra innings in the championship game. Most of the current players on both squads participated in that 1999 Junior Legion event.

Chaffee, which fell to 47-11, will face either Blue Springs or Rolla at 1 p.m. today. Blue Springs and Rolla played in Thursday night's late first-round game that was still going on as the Southeast Missourian went to press. If Chaffee wins, it would play another game today, at 8:30 p.m.

Kirksville (39-5) will play either Blue Springs or Rolla at 5:30 p.m. today in the winner's bracket final.

"It's going to be tough for us now," said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett, whose squad would also need two wins Saturday to capture the title. "But we'll give it our best shot and see what happens."

Kirksville had 13 hits, including a 4-for-4 performance by shortstop Zane Taylor.

"We knew they'd be a good team. They were very solid offensively and that Taylor kid is a stud," Graviett said. "They seemed to have all the answers today. They got the big hit with two outs and we didn't. We missed a lot of opportunities."

Chaffee had 10 hits, led by Andrew DePeder with three. Matt Stroup had two hits -- including a home run -- and drove in three runs. Garrett Cook also had two hits.

Justin Simpher was the losing pitcher. In six innings, he allowed 12 hits and eight runs (five earned), with seven strikeouts and two walks. Simpher also hit two batters.

Stroup gave up one hit and an unearned run over the final two innings. He fanned two.

Chaffee scored twice in the top of the first inning -- despite having just one hit -- but Kirksville came right back with three in the bottom of the first and Chaffee never caught up, its biggest deficits being 6-2 and 9-5.