RED DEVILS SILENCE RAMS 2-0

CHAFFEE -- In a fast-paced, well played game, the Chaffee Red Devils rode the arm of Tommy Stidham and solid defense to a 2-0 win over the Scott City Rams Monday at Harmon Field.

Stidham (4-1) fanned 13, allowed three hits, and walked none. Featuring a tight curveball and excellent control, he kept the Rams hitters off stride all day. The only real trouble he faced was in the fifth inning when Scott City's Bill Posey and Jacob Ressel had back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with one out. Stidham promptly induced catcher Wade Powers to ground into a nicely turned 6-4-3 double play.

"That was 'Chaffee baseball', good pitching and solid defense," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "I've been around Chaffee baseball a long time and we've never had great hitting teams. We rely on our pitching and defense."

Stidham also figured in the offense. He drew a walk in the third, stole second, and scored on a solid single by catcher Travis Hanback. That proved to be the winning run and the only earned run of the contest.

Chaffee scored an unearned insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Second baseman Perry Rice laid down a bunt and advanced all the way to third when the catcher threw wildly past first base. Rice scored minutes later on a passed ball.

Scott City's Posey battled tough throughout the game. He gave up just four hits, struck out seven and walked four. In contrast to his opposing pitcher's tight, quick breaking curveball, Posey used a slow-breaking curve and change of speed pitch to keep the Chaffee hitters in check. In spite of his effort, Posey suffered his first defeat, falling to 3-1.

"I was very pleased with the outing Posey turned in," said Scott City coach Mike Umfleet, "but Stidham was outstanding. He's been a thorn in our sides for a long time."

Chaffee improved its record to 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEMO Conference.