By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

DEXTER, Mo. - The Dexter Lady Bearcat softball team had its season opener Monday (March 21) afternoon against the Bernie Mules. Both squads competed hard in the contest, albeit a sloppy one - the two teams combined for 17 errors in the game - but the Lady ‘Cats came out on top, defeating the Mules 16-12.


Lefty Alec Jackson, who looks to be the team’s ace this season, took the mound for the Lady ‘Cats, and recorded four K’s on the day. Jackson, the lone senior on coach Tammy Crowley’s squad, also got four hits on the day.

Freshman Katie Baker started on the mound for the Mules, and recorded eight strikeouts in the contest.


The ‘Cats had a six-run rally in the second inning, and held a six-run lead going into the top of the fifth, but the Mules battled back. Bernie had a nine-run fifth inning and held a 10 to eight lead, but the ‘Cats answered with an eight-run spurt in the top of the fifth.


The Mules drove in another run in both the sixth and seventh innings, but the Lady ‘Cats were able to weather the storm and come with a victory.



Bernie head coach Jeff Rodgers noted his team's lack of practice time, due to the Mules' run in the Show Me Showdown, but seemed optimistic about his squad's future.

"This wasn’t a pretty game for either side, but for the small amount of reps we've had in practice, we did some good things,” Rodgers said. “A couple bad innings on defense cost us, but it's early and we'll get better with experience.”

Rodgers took pride in the performance of his pitcher-catcher duo, despite their youth. “Katie Baker did a good job on the mound for the first game,” Rodgers continued, “and our catcher [Tori Lowrey] did a great job behind the plate, I thought. Pitching and defense will determine how well we do this year.”

The Lady ‘Cats will be in action again on Thursday (March 24), when they will take on the Bell City Cubs on the road. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.

Photos above Top Photo: Alec Jackson fires a pitch during Monday’s game. The senior had a solid outing, recording four K’s and four hits on the day .
Bottom photo: Freshman Mollie Whitehead battles to keep her at-bat alive during the fourth inning of Monday’s 16-12 win against Bernie. .