CHAFFEE LEGION FAILS TO END DUNKLIN CO.'S DISTRICT RUN

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Dunklin County and Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy each won three games against the other this year, but Dunklin County prevailed in the contest that counted the most.

Taking advantage of four Chaffee errors that accounted for six unearned runs, Dunklin County captured its fourth straight American Legion District 14 Tournament title Sunday with an 8-4 victory in the championship game at Hillhouse Park.

Dunklin County, the tourney's second seed, will take a 41-7 record into this week's Zone 4 Tournament in St. Louis. Dunklin County is the defending zone champion.

Top-seeded Chaffee, which battled through the loser's bracket to win four straight tournament games -- including a 4-0 victory over previously undefeated Dunklin County Saturday -- ended its best-ever Legion season at 39-7.

"We've won four straight (district titles), but I think this is the toughest yet because Chaffee is such an excellent team," said Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson. "We've taken turns beating each other this year and I think it was just our turn today."

Said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett, "It's disappointing, but we didn't deserve to win. We made mistakes in the field and they didn't. They're such a good team, you have to bring your `A' game against them.

"They're a class ballclub, well coached, and they're going to represent our district well. And we have nothing to hang our heads about. We had a great season. I'm really proud of the guys."

Robby Holt had four of Dunklin County's 11 hits while Chris McLain, Justin DePriest and Adam Burton added two each.

Todd Friend, Matt Stroup and Adam DePeder each had two of Chaffee's 10 hits.

Nathan Baker was the winning pitcher. In 7 2/3 innings, he allowed 10 hits and four runs, but he did not issue a walk while striking out six.

Landon Kersey hurled the final 1 1/3 innings in hitless fashion, fanning three and walking one.

Justin Simpher suffered the loss. In five innings, he allowed five hits and four runs -- all unearned -- while fanning three and walking three.

Josh Eftink hurled the final four frames for Chaffee, allowing six hits and four runs (two earned). He fanned three and walked one.

"Justin didn't have his fastball, but he still did a good job," Graviett said. "We wanted him to give us about five or six innings, which he did."

Dunklin County broke on top 1-0 in the top of the second, using a hit and two Chaffee errors for its first unearned run.

Chaffee went ahead 2-1 in the fourth. Friend and Stroup both singled, Garrett Cook put down a sacrifice bunt and DePeder drilled a two-run single up the middle.

Three unearned runs in the fifth put Dunklin County ahead to stay. Simpher walked the first two batters and an error followed. DePriest had the only hit of the frame, an RBI double.

Dunklin County opened up some breathing room with a four-run seventh featuring four hits and an error to go ahead 8-2. Two of the runs were earned.

Chaffee got its final two runs in the eighth, on RBI singles by Cook and Brian Obermann. Chaffee still had two runners on, but Kersey came on to get a strikeout and end the rally.