CHAFFEE JR. LEGION SQUEEZES PAST JEFFERSON CITY 4-3

BALLWIN -- It wasn't supposed to be a squeeze bunt, but Brad Kolwyck drove in the winning run against Jefferson City in the bottom of the seventh inning of Friday's Junior Legion State Tournament.

Chaffee (33-15) won the contest 4-3 when Tory Meyr attempted to steal home with two outs in the final inning. With Meyr racing down the third-base line, Kolwyck thought he missed a squeeze sign from manager Jeff Graviett and dropped a bunt that perplexed the Jefferson City defense.

Kolwyck reached safely when no one covered first base on the bunt and Meyr, who would have likely stolen home anyway, scored easily to end the game.

Meyr, who entered the tournament with a team-leading 43 stolen bases, made it third after a single, stolen base and pass ball. Sitting on third base with two outs, Meyr told Graviett he could score the winning run himself.

"Tory comes to me and said, 'Coach I can steal home,'" Graviett said. "He would have stole it too, but Kolwyck though he missed the squeeze so he laid down the bunt and then no one covered first."

Kolwyck had three hits and Meyr two. Brian Obermann clubbed two hits, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning that tied the score 3-3.

Matt Stroup went the distance for the win, allowing six hits, and fanning four.

Chaffee, undefeated in the tournament, plays either Ballwin or Jefferson City tonight at 7 p.m. for the state championship.