Dexter's Young Cardinals Have Hot Bats, WIn Tournament

Dexter’s own Cardinals have been pretty hot this summer, winning the 2011 Diamond Demolition – Battle of the Bats. The Cardinals won the tournament, sponsored by the Dexter Parks and Recreation Department. The tournament was for boys age 11 and younger and the bracket included six teams.

Dexter’s bats were hot Thursday evening as the boys beat their biggest rival, Campbell, to claim the title.

Dexter and Campbell have played a total of eight times this spring and summer. The Cardinals tied the very first game 7-7 back in the early spring. Dexter then lost the next four battles with Campbell, three on Campbell’s home field, once in Dexter during the regular games, and one time in the Campbell tournament in May.

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Dexter has since won the last three battles with Campbell - once in the Piggott, Ark., tournament and the last two during the Diamond Demolition at home.

“We did not have a single strikeout this entire tournament,” said Coach Dave Ellinghouse. Ellinghouse noted fellow coaches Derek Driskill and John Daniels were all very proud of the boys. “We’ve won 10 in a row now and we’re starting to see our fan base grow a little and that’s exciting.”

This season the Cardinals have played and defeated Sikeston Red, Sikeston Black, Holcomb, Piggott, Ark., Walnut Ridge, Ark., Portageville, Kennett, Corning, Ark., and Campbell. Their current record on the season is 16-5-1.

“We started practicing back in March right after the Upwards basketball season ended,” Ellinghouse said. “We are starting to see the hard work pay off.”

The Cardinals will next see action in Bloomfield this Saturday, July 16 against Bloomfield, Bernie and Malden. The team also plans to play again July 19 – 21 in the DPR tournament against Bloomfield, Bernie, Benton, East Prairie and Portageville.

The Cardinals will probably finish the season in a “Ring” tournament in Campbell starting next Friday and finishing Saturday. The players and coaches on the top two teams will receive rings instead of the traditional trophies or medals.

Photo Above: They're Number One!! The Dexter Cardinals won the Diamond Demolition tournament for teams age 11 and younger. The young club has had a successful season in regional play. (Photo by Reader Amy Ellinghouse; Thanks Amy!)

The Dexter Cardinals are coached by Derek Driskill, John Daniels and Dave Ellinghouse.

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Team members are: Andrew Ellinghouse - 2nd base, Peyton Driskill - SS, Austin Daniels – 3rd base, Ryder Boles - Pitcher, Riley Slusher – 1st base, Riley Moore – Right center field, Jackson Cade Allen – left field/right field, Dylan Sitze – left center field, Camden Riley – right field, Josab Brisher – catcher, Colsyn Mills – outfield/infield

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