CHAFFEE JUNIOR LEGION GETS FIRST TOURNEY LOSS

CHANUTE, Kan. -- The Chaffee Junior American Legion baseball team suffered its first loss in the Mid-States Regional Tournament, falling to Louisiana state champion Shreveport 6-1 Sunday night in the winner's bracket final.

Chaffee, the Missouri state champion which had won its first two tourney games, now falls into the loser's bracket. Chaffee will play at 10 a.m. today and, if it wins, again at 1:30 p.m. Another win there would force a final game against Louisiana Tuesday for the title.

Chaffee (31-11) had just three hits Sunday, all of them singles. Todd Friend drove in the lone run.

John O'Rourke was the losing pitcher. He allowed nine hits and walked seven.

Late Saturday night, Chaffee routed Oklahoma state champ Byng 11-2 in a winner's bracket semifinal game stopped after five innings by the eight-run rule.

Justin Simpher (12-2) pitched all five innings, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking two.

Chaffee had 11 hits. Friend led the way with a 4-for-4 performance that included a triple and four RBIs. O'Rourke had two hits.