CHAFFEE TOPS MISSISSIPPI STATE CHAMP

ENID, Okla. -- The pitching of Matt Stroup and some timely hitting was enough for Chaffee Medicap Pharmacy to prevail Thursday morning in the opening game of the American Legion Mid-South Regional Tournament.

Stroup went all nine innings as Missouri State champion Chaffee knocked off Mississippi state champ West Point 3-1.

Pool play in the eight-team tourney for Chaffee will continue today at 1 p.m. with a game against Nebraska state champion Omaha.

"It's a huge win for us," said Chaffee manager Jeff Graviett, whose squad improved its record to 52-11. "We talked last night about how we needed to start out well in the tournament. I figure it's going to take 2-1 to get out of pool play and to get that first one under our belt is big."

Stroup, who has had sensational high school and Legion seasons this year, was at it again Thursday as he pushed his personal record for the summer to 15-2. The right-hander allowed six hits and no walks, with seven strikeouts. The only run West Point scored was unearned.

"What can you say about Matt. He's the man," said Graviett. "They hit the ball hard at times, but the kids played great defense again and Matt made pitches when he had to."

Chaffee had 11 hits off two West Point pitchers, with both John O'Rourke and Garrett Cook going 3-for-4. Justin Simpher added two hits.

"I thought getting 11 hits was amazing because both those guys threw really well," Graviett said. "Garrett Cook (who had a big state tournament last weekend) has just been on a tear and we got a lot of big hits."

Medicap Pharmacy jumped on top with a run in the bottom of the third inning as Perry Rice walked, stole second and came around on Simpher's two-out single.

Chaffee made it 3-0 in the sixth. Simpher doubled and, with two outs, Cook delivered an RBI double and Jon Heuring came up with an RBI single.

Said Graviett of the fact all three Chaffee runs came with two outs, "That's kind of what we've done all year. We seem to come through when it counts."

Left-hander Donte Jones pitched into the sixth inning as he suffered the loss for West Point, which fell to 37-9.

"That team was a solid ballclub," said Graviett. "We had to play really well to beat them."

Simpher, who is 9-2, figures to get the nod for Chaffee today against Omaha, which entered Thursday night's game against host Enid with a 54-7 record.

"The Omaha area always has tremendous baseball so we know we're going to have our hands full," Graviett said. "But from what I've seen out here, we can match up with these teams. We belong here."

Graviett said the facility where the tournament is being played -- David Allen Memorial Ballpark, which was built only a couple of years ago -- is one of the best he's ever seen.

"They put $1.2 million into it the first year it was built and they've put more money into it since," he said. "It's just a beautiful facility, first class all the way. This is a great experience for the kids."

Pool play

Thursday's results

Chaffee 3, West Point 1

Texas City 5, Pine Bluff 2

Midwest City 13, Merrero 4

Omaha 4, Enid 2, 10 innings

Today's games

10 a.m. Texas City vs. Merrero

1 p.m. Chaffee vs. Omaha *

5 p.m. Enid vs. West Point

8 p.m. Pine Bluff vs. Midwest City

*Game on radio, KAPE-1550