ND, KELLY ARRANGE 2A, DISTRICT 2 TITLE REMATCH

CHAFFEE -- It will be rematch time in the championship game of the Class 2A, District 2 Tournament.

Defending champion Kelly and Notre Dame both used strong pitching performances and timely hitting to handily win semifinal games here Tuesday.

Top-seeded Notre Dame eased past fifth-seeded Scott City 7-1 while second-seeded Kelly downed third-seeded Chaffee 8-1.

Kelly and Notre Dame will decide the district title at 4 p.m. Thursday at Harmon Field. Last year Kelly defeated Notre Dame and the Hawks wound up placing third in the state tournament.

"It should be a really good matchup," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "I'm sure they (Notre Dame) will be wanting to get us back for last year, so it's an interesting matchup."

Notre Dame, which improved to 13-8, got a two-hitter from Brian Obermann to end Scott City's season at 9-9.

Obermann, a sophomore lefthander, struck out nine and walked two in the seven innings.

"Brian has been so consistent for us," said Notre Dame coach Gregg Muench. "He doesn't look overpowering, but he can be."

Scott Reinagel hit a solo home run in the first inning and the Bulldogs never looked back.

Notre Dame had nine hits, with Nathan Essner and John O'Rourke both getting two.

"It was a good game for us," Muench said. "We hit the ball well and we got some two-out hits, which is something we haven't done much of all year."

Scott City's highlight was a solo homer by John Wipfler in the fifth inning. It was Wiplfer's second homer in as many tourney games.

Tim Lowery, who has been hampered by illness in recent weeks, took the loss. He allowed five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.

"Obermann kept us off stride. He did a good job," said Scott City coach Mike Umfleet. "Tim wasn't up to par, but he's the type of kid that won't make excuses."

In the second semifinal, Kelly's Denver Stuckey stood out on the mound and at the plate.

Stuckey tossed a three-hitter, fanning seven and walking none in seven innings. He also had three of Kelly's eight hits, including a double and triple as he drove in four runs.

Kelly improved to 19-4 while Chaffee ended up 15-8.

"We played real well," said Scott. "Chaffee has a good team and I was expecting a tough game. We got some big hits and Denver was sharp."

Chaffee sophomore Tommy Stidham, who had been 7-0 and was one of the area's hottest hurlers, suffered the loss as he went the distance. Three of Kelly's runs were unearned.

"We didn't play real well. I think we came out tight," said Chaffee coach Bruce Qualls. "But Stuckey is so tough. He's one of the best in the area. Kelly has a really good team."

Qualls was still extremely proud of the turnaround season his young squad had.

"I told the guys to keep their heads up because I'm really proud of them," he said. "We had 16 losses last year and we put 15 wins on the board this year with only one senior."