CHAFFEE -- The Chaffee Red Devils opened the 2002 baseball season with a dominating 18-3 win over Kelly on Friday.
Zac Horman picked up the win in four innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
"I was very pleased with the outcome," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "Kelly has a good tradition, we ended up meeting for the district championship last year. I knew they had a lot returning and we lost quite a bit to graduation."
Kelly came out on fire with three consecutive hits to load the bases.
"I thought we might be in for a long ride," said Horrell. "But our kids fought back and played good, solid defense."
Chaffee plated one run in the bottom of the first inning, five in the second, one in the third, then exploded for 11 in the fourth.
At the plate, Chase Eskew was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Sam Burnett was 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs. Brandon Davis was 2-for-4 with one run and a steal.
Chaffee also saw hits from Andrew Horrell (1-1, 3 rs, 2 sb, 3 bb), James Reischman (1-2, 2 rs, 1 sb), Horman (1-1, 2 rs, 1 RBI) and Brent Thomason (1-2, 2 RBI, 3 rs).
Eskew pitched the final inning for the Red Devils, striking out three batters.
"It's a very good feeling to finally get out and play a game," said Horrell. "Everybody in Southeast Missouri has been in the same boat the last few days. Not too many people have been able to practice outside, let alone play a game. I was very pleased with how the kids played under the conditions."
Kelly saw hits from Major Burger, Tyler Schlosser, Barry Zigler, Jay Staggs and D. Moore.
Schlosser was charged with the loss.
Chaffee will host Charleston on Tuesday.