CHAFFEE LEGION SWEPT IN SHOWDOWN

SENATH -- The Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy American Legion baseball team came up short twice Wednesday in its District 14 showdown here with Dunklin County.

In the opener, which began at 5-5 in the 10th inning in the makeup of a suspended game from earlier this season, Dunklin County pushed across three runs in the 10th to snare an 8-5 victory.

Then in a seven-inning game, Dunklin County prevailed 4-2 to remain undefeated and in first place in District 14 action. Chaffee, in second place, is 9-3 in district play and 14-6 overall.

"There is still a lot of baseball to be played, but they (Dunklin County) are definitely in the (district) driver's seat now," said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett. "They've got a very good team with a lot of pitching."

In the completion of the suspended game, Chaffee pitcher Tommy Stidham retired the first two batters in the 10th. But Stidham allowed a single, a walk and then a player reached on an error as the tie-breaking run scored. The next two batters then singled for some insurance.

The regulation game saw Dunklin County hurler Aaron Gurley sparkle with a two-hitter. He struck out nine and walked just two.

"He was tough," Graviett said.

Gurley took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but Tory Meyr singled and Josh Eftink belted a two-run homer.

Eftink was the losing pitcher. He allowed seven hits in going the distance. Dunklin County grabbed a 4-0 lead after four innings and Chaffee could not recover.

Chaffee will host Ballard County, Ky., tonight in a non-district game and then compete in the Anheuser-Busch Tournament in St. Louis this weekend.