CHAFFEE HITS UP KEELY FOR FIRST WIN OF SEASON

CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee High School baseball team cruised to a 9-2 win over a young, slightly banged-up Kelly squad Friday.

Scoring at least one run in every inning, Chaffee never trailed and evened its season record at 1-1. The Red Devils had suffered a tough eight-inning loss to Cape Central in their opener.

Kelly (0-2) opened the game by loading the bases with two out, but Chaffee pitcher, G. P. Glueck set the tone for the game as he worked out of the jam. Glueck pitched a steady game throughout, allowing only one earned run. He was relieved in the sixth by Tommy Stidham, who finished up with two scoreless innings.

After Kelly failed to capitalize on its scoring opportunity in the top of the first, Chaffee came back in the bottom of the frame with an RBI double by Glueck for a 1-0 lead.

Chaffee scored single runs in the second and third innings and added two runs apiece in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Kelly was only able to counter with single runs in the third and sixth.

Travis Hanback, two doubles and a single, and Terry Rice, three singles, led the Red Devils offense.

Solid defense also played a pivotal role in the victory. Chaffee made several nice defensive plays that, if mishandled, could have opened the door for Kelly.

"We played solid, consistent defense for the second game in a row," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell.

Kelly had chances to dig into the Chaffee lead but could not come up with the timely hit.

"That's been our pattern so far this season," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "We haven't been able to get hits in bunches or the big hit when we need it."

"We're starting our season off against some of the better teams in the area and it is my job to not let our young players get down on themselves," said Scott. "We had a rough start to our season in '97, but we hung tough and took third in state. So we have seen that a tough start can either help or hurt you, depending on your mental toughness."

It doesn't get any easier for the Hawks as they visit Notre Dame, rated the top 2A team in the state, on Monday.

Chaffee returns to action Tuesday when Charleston visits.