By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

FISK, Mo. - Dexter’s JV baseball team faced Twin Rivers in a double-header Monday (March 28) afternoon. The young ‘Cats split the two games, winning 6-5 in the first and losing 8-7 in the second.

In the first game, Dalton Putnam went two-for-three at the plate, with one RBI. Joseph Greer, Logan Northern, Cody Neldon, and Owen Flowers all went one-for-two at the plate for the ‘Cats, and Nathan Sadler hit in one of his three plate appearances for an RBI.


Northern got his first start of the year in the game, and head coach Brian Becker was pleased with the youngster’s outing.

“Logan threw his first game on the mound this year for us today, and he did a heck of a job,” Becker said. “He started three up, three down in the first, and had a K to start the second. He walked the next batter, but got a double-play the next batter.”


 DJ Dowdy came in to close out the fifth inning, and gave up two runs, but struck out the final two batters of the contest.

“Our defense, with the exception of the fourth and fifth innings, we played a pretty good ballgame,” Becker continued. “We swung the bats well and got a good outing from Logan to help our pitching staff out.”

Putnam again had a good outing at the plate in the second game, where he went two-for-three, with three RBI’s and a bases-loaded double in the fifth to start a six-run scoring rally. Neldon was one for four, Greer and Nick Noble were both one-for-two, and Northern was one-for-two with a solo shot in the fourth inning.

Putnam got the start for the ‘Cats, but was only able to make it through one-plus inning. Noble came in and threw the rest of the contest.

Despite the loss, Becker expressed pride at his team’s grit in the game.


“We were down seven-nothing early, but Logan hit his home run to make it seven to one in the top of the fourth,” Becker said. “We gave up another run in the fourth, and that hurt us, but we battled back. We had two outs in the fifth, and we started hitting well. Flowers walked, Dowdy got hit by a pitch, and Northern walked before Putnam hit his three RBI double. I was proud of how we came back - it would have been easy to pack up - but I was proud of our boys for making a valiant comeback.”



Both the JV and Varsity squads will be in action Tuesday (March 29) at Oran.


“They’re a very good program, very well coached,” Becker commented. “Any time you play [Oran], you better come prepared for a battle. They’re a tough team year in and year out. Weather permitting, Owen Flowers will get the start.”


First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Photos above Top Photo: Joseph Greer awaits a pitch during the first game of Monday's JV doubleheader at Twin Rivers. The young 'Cats split on the day with the Royals, winning the first game 6-5 but losing the second game 8-7.
Bottom photo: Dalton Putnam delivers a pitch from the rubber in the second half of Monday's doubleheader at Twin Rivers.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bell City Lady Cubs softball team have already had a good start to their 2011 season. So far, the young squad - led by lone senior Alicia Metcalf - has had some good wins against Leopold and Richland, but caught their first loss of the season against Dexter on Thursday (March 25).


Coach Andy Roberts, entering his second season at the helm of the softball team, was excited about his young team’s chances this season.

“We’re young - we have six sophomores - but we’ve got a lot of ability,” Roberts said. “We still make some mistakes, but they’re all things we can correct. They play hard, and are no trouble to coach. We need to hit better, but again, they’re coachable, and over time we’ll get better.”


Roberts noted his team’s defense as the team’s strong suit this year.

“Our defense is solid - up the middle, good centerfield, shortstop and second base, great catching,” Roberts continued. “Our overall infield play is good. We have some inexperience in the outfield, and we’re working with that.”


“Lindsey Rendleman pitched the whole game Monday, and did a pretty good job,” Roberts said of his sophomore ace. “She had five walks in the game - four in the first inning - but once she got settled down, she got a good rhythm. She has the potential to be one of the better pitchers around here.”


“Trish Slagley,” Roberts continued on his junior shortstop, “is going to be a great hitter for us this year. Hopefully she’ll be able to put some runs on the board this season.”

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Advance Lady Hornet softball team - a young squad under head coach James Hamlin - looks to impress everyone in the County Tournament with their ability.

Hamlin, entering his fifth season as head coach, noted his team’s ability, despite their youth and a loss in their season opener against Malden.


“We’re young, but we’ve got a lot of potential,” Hamlin said. “We’re making progress every day, and with some experience, we’ll be successful. We’re just still on a learning curve with some of the girls.”

Offensive production wasn’t cited as a concern by Hamlin, but defense and pitching both were.


“We’ve got some girls coming back that can hit pretty well,” Hamlin continued. “We’re just not as strong defensively as we have been is past seasons, and we’re going to have to work on that. We’ll also have to have some pitchers step up this season, but I’m not terribly worried about that.”


Hamlin didn’t cite anyone as a ‘star’ on the team, but rather noted his squads teamwork and willingness to work together.


“Some seniors are stepping up into some leadership roles,” Hamlin continued. “There just isn’t anyone blowing me out of the water right now. We only had 14 days before our first game, but the girls work hard every day. They’re not only great athletes, but they’re great kids as well.”


By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bloomfield Wildcats have jumped around a lot in regards to their golf team. The team had traditionally been Class 1, switched to Class 2 a couple years ago, and decided to move back to Class 1 this season. Despite all the competition changes, the Wildcats have managed to put together a solid team in the last several years under coach Travis Westbrook.


Westbrook, now going into his sixth year as Bloomfield’s golf coach, is enthusiastic about his group’s potential this year.


“We had six kids come out this year, four of which are returning players,” Westbrook said. “We’ll compete well against other Class 1 schools, and hopefully send a few individuals to state, if not the team as a whole.”


Westbrook noted the leadership that he had returning as keys to his squad’s success this year.

“Seth Hill is the only state-qualifier from last year coming back,” Westbrook continued. “He went to state his freshman year, as well. He’s finished somewhere in the middle of the pack - probably the 60’s - both times.”

“Austin Cooper, a junior, is another good leader,” Westbrook commented. “He’s missed the cut at districts by less than ten shots in his first two years, and he’s been working hard to lower his scores all summer and in practice.”

Talent has also been noticed by Westbrook in one of his younger players.


“Ryan West, a freshman, has been stepping up big,” Westbrook continued. “He played in Gateway Junior PGA tournaments all summer, and fared pretty well, but he was forced to drop out when he broke his arm. He hits the ball well, and plays within his capability.”


Westbrook noted his team’s power as their strong suit this year, but really hasn’t had much of a chance to evaluate their short game.


“Our length off the tee is going to be great this year,” Westbrook said. “Its just been tough - they only uncovered the greens two weeks ago - so we haven’t had much of a chance to chip and putt.”

Photos above The 2011 Bloomfield Wildcat golf team consists of (from left to right); Ryan West, Zac Goode, Austin Battles, Gene Masters, Austin Cooper, and Seth Hill.

Submitted to the ShowMe Times
by Reader Shannon Putnam

The Lil’ Idols and Impact Idols young cheer groups from Dexter made an impressive showing recently at a metro cheer competition.

The Lil’ Idols took second place in its division at the Champion Spirit Group Cheer and Dance Championship.

After an injury to one of the girls during warm-ups, one of the Impact Idols team members was unable to tumble. However, the Impact Idols worked to overcome this adversity and earned third place in the competition.

Following the competition a group of Dexter girls competed in a stunt, Liberty Competition. The girls took third against ALL squads at the competition.

The competition was held at Lafayette High School in Wildwood, in the West St. Louis County region. The teams are coached by Tory Hillis.