By Andrew Cato,
ShowMe Times Sports

"The Older I Get ... The Better I Was"

~unknown

Small town athletes bring a lot of excitement and fun to their communities during their grade school and high school careers. As a community, we watch them achieve and accomplish great things, but much like the wind, they move on to college, careers and families.

At that point, the old adage begins to ring loudly "The Older I Get ... The Better I Was"!! But not for DHS graduate Drew Pixley. Drew has recently completed a stellar Division 1 baseball career at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.

Pixley, the son of Aaron and Amy Pixley, has always been the "locker room kid". From an early age, he hung out on the field with his dad during his college days at Oakland City University. Many times, members of Aaron's college team would serve as a babysitter for Drew as an infant.

One would have anticipated him to choose the college athletic road just from the heritage of his family. Pixley's size for the catcher position was always in question, but with sheer athleticism and a heart of gold, Pixley cast away all doubters making his place on every roster.

Pixley began playing baseball at a young age, and enjoyed success at every level. As "A Pixley", he has always drawn positive attention in Dexter as a good young man and an excellent athlete.

He recounts many great memories that lead to his success.

“When I was 11, my family moved to Dexter and I played on the Bootheel Buggies traveling team,” Pixley said. “We won the Show-Me Games that year. The next year we went to Cooperstown, New York, and played in the Dreams Park tournament. When I was 13, our Junior Babe Ruth team won districts and state and made it to the regional tournament in Iowa City.”

Pixley’s success on the field continued when he suited up in the red and black of Dexter High, where he had a unique opportunity: he got to play for his father.

“In high school, I made my first varsity start my sophomore year,” Pixley recalled. “I was named first team All-Conference sophomore through senior year.”

“If I could play for my dad everywhere I went I would; I loved playing under my dad,” Pixley continued. “He always knew how to light a fire in me that sparked a big play or a big hit, and he taught me a lot about the game.”


Pixley was quick to cite DHS head baseball coach Brian Becker as another influence on his skill.

“Let's not forget Coach Becker - my dad taught me the game, but with Coach Becker as the head coach, we posted the best record he's had as a head coach my senior year.”

After his high school years, Pixley committed to play baseball for Mineral Area College. From the catcher position, Pixley's ability to nail base runners at second base with his quick pop time and rocket arm. His performance at MAC was again exceptional, and recruiters came looking again from the 4-year schools.

Murray State became his school of choice due to the close proximity to home, and he was able to play multiple positions, even using his speed as an outfielder.

Many times we overlook the great accomplishments of our college athletes from Dexter. So many community volunteers, parents and coaches pour their lives into these young men and women during summer leagues and civic programs. It truly becomes a great reflection on the quality of our high school and civic programs when we celebrate the success of these young men and women.

Make no doubts that Drew Pixley's college career should be celebrated as one of overcoming obstacles and achieving great things. As Pixley continues on, he plans to complete his undergraduate degree and and follow his parents path by entering into secondary education - and with any luck, our community will have the pleasure of having him work with our children and grandchildren.