Dexter, Missouri – Starla Pulley, head softball coach for Dexter Senior High School brought top coaches from Murray State University to a one-day softball camp held on Monday in Dexter.
Softball may be a spring sport at Dexter High School; however these girls have been training hard all summer long in preparation for their upcoming season.
Coaches from Murray State University were on hand Monday for the one-day camp for softball athletes from Dexter, Puxico, Malden, Bell City, and Sikeston. Twenty-three athletes attended the camp in Dexter.
“This is our first time hosting a collegiate camp,” stated Pulley. “I am sure we will host another one.”
Each athlete experienced an intensive program allowing them to improve their game. Each player received individual instruction on batting skills like stance improvement, hit and runs, pull hitting, bunting and hitting for power, pitching skills that included pitching motions, release points, and communication between the pitcher and catcher, fielding skills for catching pop-flies and groundballs, performing relay throws and turning double-plays.
It was a very hot day in the Heartland and the girls learned about hydrating, drinking plenty of liquids as well as having a balanced meal during their work-out.
“The girls had a great time,” commented Pulley. “They all left learning something new to make their game and respective team better.”
“In the fall I am hoping to have them back and work with our high school team as a whole to work on situational plays and individual positions,” continued Pulley.
The Dexter Lady Softball Cats are slated to play Oran on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the softball field on Grant St. across from Keller Public Library. The public is encouraged to attend and enjoy an afternoon of softball fun!
“We are playing more summer ball and having camps to improve our program. It is a work in progress. The girls are invested and working very hard, that’s always nice to see. WE have a lot of younger girls interested in softball and it’s important to keep young talent interested and love the game. This will help build our program.”
Perryville, Missouri - The 7th Annual Perryville Volleyball Subway Shootout is slated to begin Friday, June 19th. There will be 33 varsity teams and 27 junior varsity/freshman teams competing on Friday and Saturday.
Each team should have 3 pool play games and then be placed into a pre-determined tournament bracket. Pool play results have no bearing on tournament placement.
All games will start with a 4-4 score with all games going to 25 points on the scoreboard. Tournament play matches will be best two of three games. The first two games of tournament play will be to 21 points (25 points on the scoreboard). If a third game is tournament play is needed, it will be to 11 points (15 points on the scoreboard). There will be no cap on any game. Must win by 2 points.
Warm up will be 6 total minutes. Each team will have 3 minutes total to use the court for hitting and serving. One time out per game, per team.
The High School Gym is located on College Street. From Highway 55 take Exit 129 and go past McDonald's. Make a Right turn on St. Joseph Street and then a right turn on Rolla. Turn Right on College to get to High School. Turn left on State, left on Schindler to get to Elementary Gym. The Middle School Gym is located behind the High School on Campus Drive.
The varsity teams will play on Friday with junior varsity and freshman teams competing on Saturday.
Dexter varsity volleyball Cats plays Arcadia Valley at 9:15 a.m. at the Perry Park Center court #2.
They then play at 11:30 a.m. at the same location against Poplar Bluff.
At 2:00 p.m. they play Liberty Mt. View at the same location.
Then the Dexter Lady Cats will play Perryville at 3:30 p.m. at the Perryville High School in tournament play.
For Tournament Brackets on Friday CLICK HERE!
There are so many teams, Coach Chad Allen has acquired several locations to help host the event. Boys will be competing on three courts of the Bearcat Event Center, at the Dexter High School, T.S. Hill Middle School, and Southwest Elementary in Dexter. Other locations include Richland High School, Bloomfield Main Gym, Bloomfield Auxilliary Gym, Bernie High School and Bernie Elementary Gym.
Teams competing are from Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, and Kentucky. The Rib City Shootout has grown to become one of the largest summer competitions in the Midwest.
The Dexter Bearcats will begin play on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at the Middle School against Clopton Varsity.
At 6:45 p.m. the Dexter Bearcats will play at the Middle School against Gibson County, Tennessee varsity.
Beginning at 8:15 p.m. on Court #3 of the Bearcat Event Center the Bearcats will play against Manilla, Arkansas varsity.
The Dexter Junior Varsity Bearcats (White Team) will begin play at 9:45 a.m. on Court #3 of the Bearcat Event Center against Scott County Central JV.
At noon the JV Bearcats (W) will play at T.S. Hill Middle School against Puxico JV.
Then at 3:00 p.m. the JV Bearcats (W) will travel to Bloomfield and play at the Bloomfield Auxiliary Gym against Scott City JV.
The (67) Dexter Junior Varsity Bearcats (Black Team) begin play at 9: 45 a.m. in Bernie at the Elementary School against Greene County Tech, Arkansas 9th grade team.
At 11:15 a.m. the Junior Varsity (B) will play at the Middle School in Dexter against Greenville Junior Varsity.
Beginning at 12:45 p.m. the JV (B) Bearcats will again play int he Middle School Gym at Dexter and compete against Fredericktown JV.
At 3:45 p.m. Junior Varsity (B) Bearcats will travel to the Bloomfield Auxillary Gym and compete against the Chaffee Junior Varsity.
8th grade Dexter Boys Basketball Team will play at 2:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. in Bernie.
7th grade Dexter Boys Basketball Team will play at noon, 1:30 p.m, 3:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.
Colton is the son of Marty and Lynn Averett of Dexter.
"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."
"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year. He had a good spring for us and a good two years," stated Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard. "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that."
"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard. "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids. We are very pleased at what we are getting."
Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday. Both Colton and Jason Mattison signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Jason's article by clicking HERE.)
Colton Averett received the Dexter High School Batting Average Award. He had a .494 batting average entering District competition.
“He almost got to .500,” stated Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker. “I started looking back at the last 15 or so seasons and I haven’t had anyone reach .500 yet and he’s so close to it.”
The Dexter High School Most Valuable Player Award also went to Averett.
“This award is voted on by the players,” commented coach Becker. “Not only did he bat .494 he had 38 hits, 13 RBIs, was 15 of 16 on stolen bases and threw out 12 base runners as catcher. He’s had a great season for the Dexter Bearcats.”
"Coach Sheppard is a real nice guy," commented Averett. "He talked to us a few times and we went there and checked it out.""I think it will be good for both of us," continued Averett. "I have been catching for Jason and have been on the same teams since I was 8 or 9 years old. He trusts me back there and I know what he likes to throw."
When asked about his powerhouse hitting his senior year, he said, "I had a great senior season hitting. I have to remember to put down the bat and continue working and take nothing for granted."
Colton has decided to pursue a degree in Ag Business. His dad is a farmer and that he may try his hand at farming after college.
When asked about his most memorable times on the ball field, he said, "hitting that home run against Campbell and beating the undefeated Greenville team!"
Shown in the photo are Lynn Averett, Colton Averett, and Marty Averett. Back row are Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.
Jason is the son of Jason Sr. and Carrisa Mattison of Dexter.
"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."
He played for the Dexter Bearcats football team his freshman and senior year. he participated in Cross Country his junior year, Wrestling his sophomore and junior year and Baseball all four years of high school. He was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America.
"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year. He had a good spring for us and a good two years," commented Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard. "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that."
"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard. "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids. We are very pleased at what we are getting."
Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday. Both Jason Mattison and Colton Averett signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Colton's article by clicking HERE.)
“We are looking at Jason on the mound,” continued Sheppherd. “We let our pitchers play others spots and try them out, but most end up just being pitchers. Colton will be behind the plate catching for us.”
"It has been a dream of mine to play college baseball," Jason Mattison said. "And I get to go there with one of my best friends. It will be pretty cool! Colton and I have been playing ball for over 10 years together."Mattison pitched more than 63 innings for Dexter his senior season. He was 5-6 on the mound with a 2.64 ERA. Mattison also hit .338 with a team-high 16 RBIs and he had 7 doubles.
“We are in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and we just made a transition about three years ago up from Division 2 to Division 1 program and made it back into the Great Rivers Conference.” continued Coach Sheppard.
“We have always recruited real heavily into the Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky, the Paducah area and Southern Illinois area. It’s hot bed for us and a lot of access to some good players.”
Jason's most memorable game during his high school career was beating the undefeated Greenville during his senior year. He will persue a degree in Business Administration. Why did he choose that field, he said, "Because of my Dad!"The ShowMe Times and the community congratulate Jason on his accomplishments and his continued baseball career!
Shown in the photo are Carrisa Mattison, Jason Mattison, Jr. and Jason Mattison, Sr. Back row Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.
