By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

Fresh out of their third-place finish in the 2012 SEMO Conference Tournament, the Dexter Bearcats hosted a three-team 'round robin' doubleheader on Saturday (May 5). The 'Cats split the games, with a win over Cooter and a loss to Clearwater.

In the first game, the 'Cats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI singles from Chase Young and Alex Cliff. The Wildcats tacked on a run in the top of the second, but Brad Potts drove home Daniel Fitts with a two-out single in the home half of the inning.

Neither team scored in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, but the sixth inning saw both teams put together big rallies. The Wildcats capitalized on two errors by the DHS infield to tie the game at 3-3, but an RBI single from Potts, a sac-fly from Young, and a two RBI single from Cliff saw the 'Cats back in the lead with a 7-3 advantage.

Cooter catcher Dustin Franklin delivered a two-run shot in the top of the seventh, but it would be all the offense the Wildcats could muster, and the Bearcats took a 7-5 victory.

Miller took the start for the 'Cats, striking out four batters in four innings of work. Potts got the win for Dexter, striking out and walking three in three innings.



In game two, the Bearcats faced off against the Clearwater Tigers; senior Josh Overall took the start for the 'Cats.

The Tigers jumped on Overall early with a leadoff home run that sparked a five run inning. An RBI single from Miller was all that the 'Cats could put together in the bottom of the first, and they trailed 5-1 heading into the second.

Overall retired the Tigers in order in the top of the second inning; in the bottom of the inning, he was stranded on first base after drawing a leadoff walk. The Tigers jumped for four runs in the top of the third to knock Overall out of the game; Potts took to the mound in relief, but the Tigers held a commanding 9-1 lead.

The Bearcats struck for three runs in the fifth inning; a leadoff single from Potts and a double from Miller - the Bearcats' only extra-base hit of the game - set up a sac fly for Cliff. D.J. Dowdy followed up with an RBI single, and Cody Neldon drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring the score to 9-4.

After a scoreless top of the sixth, the 'Cats tacked on one more run on an RBI single from Dowdy, but the Tigers struck for one more run in the top of the seventh inning. The Bearcats couldn't put together any offense in the seventh to end the game with an 10-5 loss.

Cliff had a solid all-around effort at the plate for the Bearcats, going 3-6 with four RBI's on the day, while Miller ended the day going 4-6 with one RBI and one run scored. Potts ended the day with a 4-7 effort at the plate, including two RBI's and four runs scored.

The Bearcats stand at 15-7 on the season, and will be in action again on Monday (May 7) when they close the regular season at Portageville.

The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start, weather permitting; Owen Flowers (4-1, 2.51 ERA) will get the start for the 'Cats.



Photo Above: Bearcat seniors (from left) Josh Overall, Daniel Fitts, Alex Cliff, and Owen Flowers were honored during 'Senior Day' on Saturday afternoon. (Photo submitted by Kay Stevenson)