Dexter, Missouri - With new renovations at the East Park baseball field, the Dexter Bearcat Baseball Team is anxious to get their 2017 season started.
"The renovations to our field brought a new level of excitement that as a coach is very pleasing," commented Dexter head baseball coach Brian Becker. "The kids are anxious, as am I, to get the season going."
Returning to the field this year are seniors Jason Jarrell, Hunter Parrott, and Riley Mason. Jarrell is starting as catcher and was All-Conference and All-District Athlete last year in Class 4, District 1 baseball. Parrott will play as an infielder and pitcher. Mason will play as an outfield and pitcher.
"Overall, I think one of the strengths of our team will be our pitching depth. We have several kids that return with experience on the mound," continued Becker. "That will prove to be important given the new pitch count restrictions that are in place this season. It is essential that you have depth, but right now I am looking for someone to step up and be the ace. We will see how that goes as the season progresses."
Dexter has two new key additions to the team this season. Clay Mullins and Cordell Holt. Mullins will perform as an out fielder and pitcher and Holt will be on third base.
"The big key for us will be our performance at the plate," stated Becker. "We struggled as a team last year, but part of that was because of our youth. They are another year stronger and most of them have matured enough to handle that bat a little better."
The Dexter Bearcats will compete in Class 4, District 1 against New Madrid County Central, Fredericktown, Kennett, Notre Dame, Perryville and Sikeston.
"Once again we are in the always competitive SEMO Conference," Becker said. "I feel it is one of the best conferences top to bottom anywhere around. Our district tournament will have a couple of new teams (Sikeston and NMCC) which only makes an already tough district even tougher."
Doniphan moved out of Class 4. Sikeston and NMCC are now in Class 4.
Competing in the SEMO Conference are Notre Dame, Jackson, Poplar Bluff, Kennett, Cape Girardeau, New Madrid County Central, Sikeston, and Dexter.
The Bearcats will have a total of 26 players on the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams for the 2017 baseball season.
Dexter will open on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at home against Cooter at 10 a.m. and Clearwater at 2 p.m. at the East Park Baseball Field.
2017 roster includes: Seniors: Ethan Martinez, Jason Jarrell, Riley Mason, and Hunter Parrott; Juniors: Trevor McDonald, Trenton Willis, Landon Henson, Cordell Holt, Clay Mullins, Kris Rinehart, and Spencer Owens; Sophomores: Dawson Jones, Tyler Wright, Tristan Williams, Luke Thurston, Caleb Stearnes, Caleb Hoggard, Colton Rodgers, and Ethan Kincy, ; Freshman: Mason Keena, Joon Jin, Carson Bell, Phillip Toledo, Garrett Henson, Luke Becker, and Haden Hillis.
The SEMO Conference Tournament will be held April 28 - May 1st and the Class 4 State Tournament will be held May 23rd - June 2nd.
2017 Dexter Baseball Schedule
3/18/2017 2:00 PM Clearwater3/18/2017 10:00 AM Cooter
3/21/2017 4:00 PM @ Malden
3/22/2017 4:00 PM Kennett
3/25/2017 10:00 AM Oran
3/25/2017 2:00 PM Valle Catholic
3/28/2017 4:00 PM @ Central (Cape Girardeau)
3/30/2017 4:00 PM @ Neelyville
4/3/2017 6:00 PM @ Campbell
4/5/2017 4:30 PM @ Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau)
4/6/2017 4:00 PM Scott City
4/8/2017 2:00 PM @ Ste. Genevieve
4/8/2017 12:00 PM Perryville Neutral Site:Ste. Genevieve, MO
4/10/2017 4:30 PM @ Sikeston
4/12/2017 4:00 PM Chaffee
4/13/2017 4:00 PM Central (New Madrid County)
4/17/2017 4:30 PM @ Poplar Bluff
4/18/2017 4:00 PM @ Jackson
4/22/2017 10:00 AM Valle Catholic Neutral Site:Cape Girardeau, MO
4/24/2017 4:00 PM @ Doniphan
5/5/2017 4:00 PM Twin Rivers
5/8/2017 4:30 PM Portageville
