By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

CAPE GIRARDEAU - With two swings of the bat in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Dexter Bearcats' four run lead was erased and by the Notre Dame Bulldogs in the semifinal round of the SEMO Conference tournament.

"That was as tough a loss as you can have right there. We had the number one team, both in this tournament and in the state, beat," head coach Brian Becker said. "We just let 'em off the hook. That's what we talked about after the game: we hope we get another shot at them, but next time we won't let them off the hook."

The 'Cats held a comfortable 9-5 lead over the top-seeded Bulldogs going into the sixth inning; starter Brad Potts (5.1 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 4 K, 2 BB) was still on the mound, but gave up a one-out walk to Justin Landawee. Becker opted to make a pitching change, and put Jordan Miller on the mound.

Miller struggled to find the strike zone, and after two walks and the heart of Notre Dame's lineup coming up, Becker opted to put Josh Overall on the mound with one out and the bases loaded.

Overall's first pitch to Cody Heisserer (1-4, 4 RBI, 1 R) went over the left-center fence for a grand slam. Overall's third pitch, this time to Jesse Schott (4-4, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 HR), resulted in a deep solo shot to left-center to give the Bulldogs a 10-9 lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.

Despite the tough loss, Becker was pleased with his pitching staff's effort throughout the contest.

"Potts threw outstanding; he was a little shaky in the first inning, giving up that leadoff double, but after that he settled in and did a great job," he said. "You have to give credit to Notre Dame; they had the right hitters up at the right time, and they knocked a couple out of the park in a row on us. Josh can't hang his head about that; he's got to pick his head back up and keep going. He might wind up on the mound again Monday, so he's got to put this behind him real quick."

The Bearcats played an outstanding game in the back-and-forth contest, and did well at the plate early in the game. Notre Dame ace Heisserer (2.2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 BB, 3 K) took the start, but was knocked out early. The 'Cats also played solid defense, only committing two errors in the contest.

Notre Dame took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first with a three run shot from Schott. The 'Cats would get a run on a bases-loaded walk in the second, and a big six-run rally in the top of the third to take a 7-3 lead.

A leadoff single from Chase Young got things started in the third; Miller and Alex Cliff both drew walks, before D.J. Dowdy smacked a line-drive, two RBI single to center. Cody Neldon forced an error with a hard-hit ground ball to score Dowdy, and Potts tacked on an RBI single.

The Bulldogs added two runs in the bottom of the third, and both teams were blanked in the fourth inning. Potts led off with a triple in the fifth inning and was driven in by Young. Dowdy came through with another long single to score Young and give the 'Cats a 9-4 lead.

Lefty reliever Jonathan Lynch entered the game in the sixth for the Bulldogs, and retired the Bearcats in order in the sixth. The Bearcats had the tying run on base after a two-out walk to Miller in the top of the seventh, but the Lynch forced a pop-out to center to end the game.

"We played good baseball for the most part; there in the first inning, we got down three runs on them but we came back and took the lead against a very good pitcher," Becker said. "Heisserer is one of the best pitchers in Southeast Missouri, but we had him on the ropes all day. We got to him early and knocked him out of the game in the third, and we kept adding on to it. We just didn't close the deal today."

The 'Cats will move on to face No. 3 Poplar Bluff, who were upset by No. 7 Jackson later in the day, to battle for third place in the tournament.

The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch on Monday (April 30) at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau.

Photos Above:
Top: D.J. Dowdy connects on a two RBI double during the third inning of Saturday's game at Notre Dame. The junior catcher was 2-4 with 2 RBI and 1 run scored in the contest.
Bottom: Brad Potts slides safely into third base after his leadoff triple in the fifth inning. Potts was 2-5 with 1 RBI in the game.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

SIKESTON - A squeeze play in the third inning would give the Dexter Bearcats a 5-4 lead that they never gave up in the opening round of the 2012 SEMO Conference Tournament.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

SENATH - The Lady 'Cats cruised to a 9-0 victory against Senath-Hornersville on Thursday afternoon thanks to a dominant pitching performance from starter Becky Anderson and a solid defensive performance by the entire team.

The senior right-hander hurled a complete game, three-hit shutout including six strikeouts. Anderson also had a solid day at the plate, going 3-3 with two RBI's, one run scored, and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

Ashley Brown plated Dexter's first run on an error in the top of the first inning. The Lady Lions stranded a baserunner on second in the bottom of the inning.

Tiffany Watson led off with a walk in the second inning, but was caught trying to steal second base. Taylor Owens reached base on an error and was brought home by triple from Anderson. The third inning saw the 'Cats with the bases loaded, but unable to score.

Brown's sac fly to center in the fourth brought Anderson home to increase the lead to 3-0. The Lions had runners in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the fourth, but line-outs to third base and the pitcher allowed the 'Cats to keep the shutout alive.

The Lady 'Cats put together a two-out rally in the fifth, with Owens and Anderson collecting RBI's. The Bearcats struck for three runs in the top of the sixth inning, thanks to a triple from Emily Triplett; in the seventh, Triplett came through with an RBI single to plate the ninth and final run of the game.

"Senath is a good, young team. They put the ball in play and forced us to play solid defense," head coach Leonard Morse said after the win. "Our girls rose to the challenge and played incredible defense behind Becky. Every player was involved, with our infield turning a double play."

The 'Cats collectively hit .267 in the contest, but Morse attributed outstanding pitching by the Lions for the relatively slow day at the plate. "Our offense was kept off balance by Senath's freshman pitcher who continuously threw the high strike. We popped up too many times for comfort," he said. "Our girls continued to plug away and steadily increased their lead. They really came together as a team and continued to play well in support of each other."

"I am very proud of them and how much they have improved throughout the season. We have two games left next week with Advance and Twin Rivers, both of whom are very good teams with good pitching," Morse added. "Those games look to be an exciting way to finish a great season."

The Lady 'Cats increase their record to 12-6 with the win; they will take the field again on Monday (April 30) when they host the Advance Lady Hornets, who defeated the 'Cats 15-1 in last week's SCAA Championship game.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Bearcat tennis team responded to a disappointing loss to Cape Central with a sweep of the Sikeston Bulldogs on Wednesday afternoon.

The 'Cats picked up a 9-0 win in the Varsity-only contest.

Tyler Miller, Noah Kronk, and Jacob Robinson all blanked their respective opponents in singles competition; Kronk and Robinson also picked up an 8-0 win in doubles.

Miller and partner Sam Ward defeated James Hines and Mark Jones 8-2 in doubles, while Kyle Willis and Joseph Greer picked up an 8-1 win over Alex Hahn and Sydney Gadberry.

The 'Cats will be on the court again Tuesday (May 1), when they travel to Sikeston for a 4:00 p.m. rematch with the Bulldogs.

In most streams south of the Missouri River, black bass season will open May 26, 2012, until that date all black bass in those streams must be returned to the water unharmed immediately after being caught. For details see Chapter 6 of the Wildlife Code.

PLEASE CHECK REGULATIONS CAREFULLY: Special regulations may apply to designated portions of water bodies; some baits and lures may not be legal for all portions.

SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858

LAKES

Clearwater Lake: 72 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits; bluegill fair on live worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Council Bluff Lake: 66 degrees, normal, clear; largemouth bass good on dark colored soft plastics; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Cypress Lake: 62 degrees, normal, dingy; bluegill and redear sunfish good on jigs, crickets and worms in 1 - 3' depths; crappie fair on minnows and jigs in 1 - 2' depths, mostly smaller fish being caught right now; largemouth bass fair on minnows and jigs incidental to crappie fishing, and plastic worms in 1 - 3' depths; channel catfish fair on worms and stinkbait in 2 - 3' depths. (Report made on 4/26/2012)

Duck Creek CA Pool 1: 65 degrees, high, clear; bluegill and warmouth sunfish fair on crickets and jigs; largemouth bass and chain pickerel fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Lake Girardeau: normal, clear; bluegill and redear sunfish good on crickets; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species fair. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Perry County Lake: 64 degrees, clear; crappie good on jigs; redear sunfish good on worms; black bass fair on spinnerbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Robert DeLaney Lake: normal, crappie fair on jigs and minnows; channel catfish fair on stinkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Wappapello Lake: 64 degrees, rising, crappie good on minnows and jigs; channel catfish good on trotlines and jug lines using live bait at night; black bass fair on crankbaits and plastic worms; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. Anglers should note the 9" minimum length limit regulation for crappie on Wappapello Lake. Call the Wappapello Lake Recreation Hotline for updates at 573-222-8139. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

RIVERS

Black River (above Clearwater Lake): 60 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass (catch and release only) and goggle-eye fair on tube baits and live minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/26/2012)

Black River (below Clearwater Lake): 70 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait and cut bait; crappie good on jigs and minnows; black bass good on jigs and minnows (season closed, catch and release only); all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Castor River (above Zalma): normal, clear; all species fair. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Mississippi River (middle): falling, muddy; channel catfish fair on worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Mississippi River (Ohio River to Arkansas): normal, muddy; channel catfish fair on beef liver and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

St. Francis River (above Wappapello): normal, dingy; channel catfish good on live bait; black bass (season closed until May 26th) good on minnows and jigs; redear sunfish good on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

St. Francis River (below Wappapello): 61 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish fair on liver, large minnows and stinkbaits; crappie fair using chartreuse tube jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 4/25/2012)

Anglers are invited to send pictures of their catch to the ShowMe Times - simply email a photo to SMT Sports Editor Andrew Cato, including your name, where the fish was caught, the species of the fish, and - if you care to share - what bait you were using!