CHAFFEE HOSTING JR. LEGION DISTRICT MEET

CHAFFEE -- Chaffee will automatically be in next month's Midwest Regional Junior American Legion Tournament because it is hosting the event.

But the talented Chaffee squad doesn't just want to back into that prestigious tourney, it wants to earn its way in.

Chaffee begin on that quest Friday by winning its opening game in the District 14 Tournament that it is hosting at Harmon Field.

Chaffee, which has lost just once all season, routed Cape Girardeau SEMO Bank 11-1 in five innings. Chaffee was playing Poplar Bluff in the winner's bracket final that was still going on as the Southeast Missourian went to press.

Cape (14-23) will play at 1 p.m. today in an elimination contest, with the finals to follow.

Against Cape, Chaffee's Dustin Dannenmueller pitched four innings for the win. His teammates had 10 hits, two each by Lance Amick, Tommy Stidham and Jason Glastetter.

Matt Bollinger had two of Cape's three hits.

After losing to Chaffee, Cape came back to stay alive by beating Sikeston 5-3 despite having only one hit. Tommy Wencewicz got the victory.

Also Friday, Sikeston eliminated Jackson 12-2. Thursday, during the tournament's opening round, Cape beat Jackson 12-3 and Poplar Bluff downed Sikeston 6-2.

Wencewicz went 5-for-5 for Cape in Thursday's victory. Justin Cook was the winning pitcher

Cape Sr. Babe Ruth

EAST PRAIRIE --The Cape Commerce Bank Babe Ruth White Sox swept a doubleheader with East Prairie late Wednesday to climb closer to a spot in the state tournament.

Commerce Bank improved to 20-10 with 10-1 and 10-0 victories.

In the first game, Greg Craft and Joey McCullough smashed two-run homers. Paul Dobbins go the victory.

In the second game, Trent Redfearn and Dobbins ripped two-run shots to earn the win for McCullough.