Chaffee wins Red Devils Classic

CHAFFEE

Chaffee defeated Oran 11-1 on Saturday for the Chaffee Red Devils Baseball Classic crown, while Egyptian's highly-touted softball team lived up to its billing with a 19-0 win over Oran in the Lady Devils Softball Classic.

In other tournament baseball games, New Madrid County Central defeated Shawnee 9-0 in the third place game, Dexter beat Scott City 13-1 for fifth place, and Perryville defeated Senath 19-2 for seventh.

In other softball games, Advance took third place with a 6-3 win over East Prairie, Chaffee took fifth with a 5-4 win over Scott City, and Dexter defeated Meadow Heights in the seventh place game.

"I've been to some big time tournaments in Texas and Oklahoma, and the Chaffee Tournament was one of best I've been to," said NMCC head coach John Jones. "It's a premier tournament and was very well run. It was a great atmosphere."

* BASEBALL

Chaffee 11, Oran 1

The Red Devils wasted no time in the championship game, plating eight runs in the first inning against Oran. Chaffee went on to score one run in the fifth frame and two in the sixth to throw the 10-run mercy rule into effect and end the game in six.

"Anytime you can do that, it relaxes you and changes the complexity of the game," said Chaffee head coach Brian Horrell of his team's early lead. "G.P. Glueck was on the mound for us, and was able to concentrate on getting ahead of hitters and throwing strikes."

In his six innings of work, Glueck allowed five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

Oran's hits came from Adam Friga (2-3), Garrett Cook, Joey Bickings, and Patrick Friga.

For Chaffee, Glueck, Perry Rice and Rusty Duncan were all 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Matt Stroup was also 2-for-4. Other hits came from Jeremy Lynn and Travis Hanback.

Oran used three different pitchers in the game, with Garrett Cook throwing the final five innings. He faced 22 batters, allowing four hits and two walks.

"I knew going in there was a good chance we would see Oran in the finals, because they've got a good, strong ballclub," said Horrell. "I was very pleased with the way we were able to score runs in the tournament, and our pitching and defense was very solid as usual."

Oran (9-2) will travel to Woodland on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Chaffee (13-1) will be back in action this weekend in the SEMO Conference Tournament.

NMCC 9, Shawnee 0

In the third place game, New Madrid County Central shut out Shawnee, 9-0.

To reach the game, the Eagles defeated Perryville in the first round 9-2, then lost to Chaffee 11-1.

"Teams that are in the Chaffee Tournament are legitimate baseball teams," said Jones. "I'm ecstatic about us coming in third place."

Crafty junior Matt Snider pitched the first five innings for NMCC, facing 17 batters. He allowed two hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Mark Adam Wade threw the final two frames, giving up no hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

"I was kind of worried about our pitching going in," said Jones. "All things considered, we had a great tournament. I'm really happy with the kids, they are busting their butts. Win, lose, or draw - these kids love baseball, and that's what I'm so proud of."

Jake Kimball was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Wade was 3-for-4 with a double, and an inside-the-park homer in the fifth inning. Brian Murph was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

NMCC also saw hits from Stowe Jones, Nick Hunter, Snider, and Jordan Comber.

Shawnee's Matt Taylor was charged with the loss, allowing nine runs on 13 hits and three walks in his seven innings of work. Jason Oyler led Shawnee's offense, batting 2-for-3.

NMCC (7-6) will host Twin Rivers on Tuesday.

* SOFTBALL

Egyptian 19, Oran 0

Egyptian's Ashley Jones threw a no-hitter in the championship game of the softball tournament, issuing no walks with nine strikeouts in a 19-0 win over Oran.

To reach the finals, the Lady Pharaohs defeated Scott City 6-0 in the first round, and beat Advance 11-0 in the second. Oran won 15-4 over Meadow Heights, then rallied to beat East Prairie 8-6 off an Amber Seyer grand slam to make the championship game.

"It was a very successful tournament for us," said Oran coach Travis Spane. "Egyptian was the best team we've seen all year. We made the finals last year and lost five seniors from that team. Getting back this year was a big improvement for these girls."

Oran's Teresa Hodges was charged with the loss, allowing eight earned runs on 11 hits and four walks. She finished with four strikeouts.

Egyptian's offense was led by Woodson and Nandol, who both went 2-for-5.

"In the tournament I think the girls showed they can win close games," said Spane. "We are starting to hit the ball a lot better, except against Egyptian."

Oran (9-2) will take the week off, then will travel to Kelly on April 30 for a 4 p.m. game.

Chaffee 5, Scott City 4

In the battle for fifth place, Chaffee nipped Scott City 5-4.

To reach the game, Chaffee lost to East Prairie 14-8 in the first round, then defeated Meadow Heights 21-8 in the consolation semifinals. Scott City lost to Egyptian, then beat Dexter 11-3 to qualify for the game.

"I'm very pleased with what we got done in the tournament," said Chaffee coach Mark Devenport. "We made a heck of a comeback against East Prairie, then rebounded against Meadow Heights and got a tough win over Scott City to get fifth."

With two outs and Abby Walter on third in the bottom of the seventh, Chaffee's Jennifer Vandeven took advantage of a Scott City bobble after hitting a hard ground ball, beating the throw to first and allowing the winning run to cross the plate.

Ashley Pepple picked up the win, allowing four runs on eight hits and eight walks with four strikeouts.

At the plate for Chaffee, Walter was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Ashley Graham was 2-for-3. Other hits came from Kate Pfefferkorn, Vandeven, Pepple, and Mallory Keifer.

Scott City's Shana Wadlington was charged with the loss, allowing nine hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

The Lady Rams saw three hits from Ashley Lynn and two from Wadlington.

Scott City will be looking for redemption on Wednesday, when they travel to Chaffee on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. game.