CHAFFEE JR. LEGION CLAIMS STATE CROWN

SEDALIA -- Chaffee may be a tiny town tucked in the southeast corner of Missouri, but the Chaffee Junior Legion/VFW team was on top of the world Saturday night.

Or on top of the state, anyway.

Chaffee (29-10) won the state Junior Legion Tournament with an eight-inning, 12-7 win over Kirksville.

The team will continue its postseason next week in Chamute, Kan.

Like it has done four other times this month, Chaffee won the game in its last at-bat, scoring eight runs in the top of the eighth.

The game was tied 4-4 after regulation.

Matt Stroup, who came on in relief of starter John O'Rourke, ran out of gas in the eighth and gave up three runs, but Justin Simpher, who won Friday night's semifinal game in dominating fashion, got the final out of the game.

"I'm so proud of these kids," said manager Joe Rice. "Kirksville really battled us hard. "They just really don't give up. They just fight and fight."

O'Rourke went the first three innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks, while fanning one.

Adam Friga led the offensive charge for Chaffee with three hits, including a double.

O'Rourke, Todd Friend, Travis Hanback and Perry Rice each had two hits as the team amassed 13.

Chaffee had an unbelievable run at the championship, starting back with dramatic wins in its district.

"We're very proud to represent our district and zone," Rice said. "The teams in our district were as good as any team we played in the zone or in state."

What got Chaffee to the top was stellar pitching and an unpredictable offense.

"We never knew which end of the lineup would carry us," Rice said. "It might be eight and nine or one and two. We never knew where we would get it from, but we always got it from somebody."

Chaffee initiated a Junior Legion program just a few years ago, which made Rice especially proud.

"We had never won a state championship," he said. "We won the regional two years ago when we were the host team. Last year we were second in the state and this year we won and oh does it feel good.

"Jeff Graviett and Bruce Qualls started the program and got it rolling and I'm fortunate to step in right behind them."