Chaffee downs Oran; will play for title

CHAFFEE -- Entering Tuesday's Class 1, District 2 semifinal contest against the Oran Eagles, Chaffee coach Brian Horrell decided to move his regular third baseman Jared Walker over to second in hopes of improving the team's defense at the position.

The move proved to be a game changer for the Red Devils as Walker made the game-winning catch in the top of the seventh to save Chaffee's season.

With his team leading 3-1 after six innings, Chaffee's starting pitcher Andrew Dooley had Oran down to their final out in the seventh when things started to unravel.

Dooley gave up a hit to the next batter, followed by two walks to load the bases and put the tying run on second.

Looking to keep his team's hopes alive, Oran's Blake Carlyle hit a bloop to shallow right field that looked as if it would drop. Walker had other ideas as he sprinted in the outfield and used every inch of frame to leap up and catch the ball for the final out of the game.

"I knew if it was hit to me I'd have to do everything I could to help my pitcher out," Walker said. "I was actually kind of scared because I thought I had jumped just a little too soon, but as soon as it hit my glove I knew I had it."

"I thought for sure it was down and we were looking at a tie game," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "I'm not trying to sell us short, but I didn't think the kid had that kind of range."

The catch completed what was a scoreless final five innings of baseball with all the damage by both teams being done in the first two frames.

Chaffee chased Oran starter Dalton Elfrink early, scoring two runs off three hits and a walk before the Eagles could collect an out.

Taking over with the bases loaded, Kody Moore contained the damage, getting Andrew Dooley to fly out before striking out Daniel Dooley and Dustin Johnson to end the inning.

"Moore came in and did an outstanding job as a pitcher, let alone being a freshman," Horrell said. "He came in with the bases loaded and got out of it. That was huge for them and unfortunate for us because it would have gave us a chance to bust a tight game open."

Oran would close the gap in the second with Carlyle hitting a single to the third base side to score Mac McConnell from second, cutting the deficit to one.

Chaffee would add an insurance run the bottom of the inning, however, with Jason Cicardi scoring on a passed ball with Walker at the plate.

"It was a pitcher's duel," Horrell said. "A lot of times it comes down to tight ball games as you don't see too many slugfests when you get down here because everybody is throwing there No. 1 or No. 2's. Fortunately for us today we were able to come out on top against a very good Oran ball club."

Of Chaffee's four hits on the afternoon, three came in those first two innings. Those four hits were spread evenly throughout the lineup as Alex Crowe, Walker, Andrew Terhune and Johnson all collected a single.

In earning the win, Andrew Dooley went all seven innings for the Red Devils. He allowed one run on six hits while striking out five.

"I though he stuck it out," Horrell said. "He wasn't as sharp today (as usual), but he gutted it out and he got the outs when he needed it."

Though not a pitcher of record, as Elfrink took the loss, Moore was impressive in his final appearance of the season. After taking over in the first he went on to pitch all six innings for the Eagles, allowing only one run on one hits as he struck out six.

Out hitting Chaffee on the afternoon, Oran came away with five hits. Carlyle led the team with two while Kielhofner, McConnell and Nolan Urhahn collected one each.

With the loss the Eagles finish the season at 16-9. Though obviously he would have liked his team to have gone further in the post-season, coach Mitch Wood said he was happy with how his young team responded this season.

"We were relatively surprised this year because we really thought if we played .500 ball we'd be a pretty good club," he said. "We exceeded our expectations as far as that goes."

As for second-seeded Chaffee, they'll now face top-seeded Bernie, who beat Bell City 8-1 in the semifinals, today at 4 p.m. in the final round of the tournament.

WP -- Andrew Dooley (6-4). LP -- Dalton Elfrink. Multiple-hitters -- (O) Blake Carlyle 2-4.

Bernie 8, Bell City 1

Top-seeded Bernie advanced to the finals of the Class 1, District 2 Tournament Tuesday afternoon, taking down the Bell City Cubs 8-1.

After scoring its lone run in the first, Bell City would hold Bernie scoreless until the fifth when the Mules busted out for five runs, followed by a three-run sixth.

Bernie combined for nine hits in the game with Jake Welch, Jake Owens and Jordan McGowan contributing two apiece.

With second-seeded Chaffee defeating Oran 3-1 in the other semifinal contest, the Mules will now face the Red Devils in the finals today at 4 p.m.

WP -- Jake Owens. LP -- Jerad Yates. Multiple hitters -- (B) Jake Welch 2-3, Owens 2-3, Jordan McGowan 2-4.