By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – Brad Potts had another excellent start on Monday (April 18) afternoon against the Mules. Despite Potts’ best efforts on the mound – the sophomore gave up only three hits in the contest – the Bearcats fell 1-0. “We played really good baseball, we just didn’t hit the ball very well,” head coach Brian Becker said. “It was a disappointing loss, but at the same time, it was positive for our team b/c we pitched so well and we got good defense. That was pleasing for me as a coach to see that we could play that well, but at the same time, we need to swing our bats a little better.”

Potts had pitched a great game going into the bottom of the seventh – giving up only two hits with three K’s – but gave up a walk-off home run to Logan Faith, the first batter Potts faced in the last half inning.

“Brad Potts threw a heck of a game, and deserved a better fate than what he got. We just didn’t hit the ball very well,” coach Brian Becker said. “There in the bottom of the seventh, Brad threw a good pitch and that kid put a good swing on it and hit it out of the ballpark for the game-winner.

Cody Neldon, and Daniel Fitts both went 1-3 at the plate, and along with Potts’ 1-2 performance, accounted for all of Dexter’s hits in the contest.



JACKSON, Mo. – Owen Flowers took to the mound on Tuesday (April 19) afternoon against the Jackson Indians. Despite throwing a great game against an outstanding Jackson team, the Bearcats fell to the Indians 5-3.

“That’s two games in a row that we had pitchers come out that we had a chance to win,” Becker said. “Owen Flowers stepped up and threw an outstanding game against a very good Jackson ballclub.”

The ‘Cats bats were hot in the contest – racking up 12 hits – but couldn’t seem get hits in clutch situations.

“We hit the ball well all day, but we didn’t hit in crucial RBI situations, and that ended up biting us in the end,” Becker continued.

D.J. Dowdy was 2-3 in the contest with one RBI, and Chase Young had another great day at the plate for the ‘Cats, going 4-4 with an RBI and one run scored.

“Chase Young is starting to put it all together,” Becker said. “Whenever you get your leadoff hitter rolling in your offense, most of the time everything else will come around and start rolling too. We just didn’t hit well in crucial situations, and that ended up getting us in the end.”

The ‘Cats will be in action again on Friday (April 22) at Kelly. “[Kelly has] had their struggles this year, but they’re capable of putting the ball in play and making it tough on us,” Becker added. “They’ve got a decent pitcher over there, and its possible that we’ll face him. We’ve just gotta come and keep playing like we’re playing, and hopefully we’ll get some wins.”

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

BELL CITY, Mo. - The Dexter Lady Bearcats played their best defensive game - giving up no fielding errors - of the season on Monday (April 18) afternoon in the opening round of the SCAA Tournament. The Lady ‘Cats blew out Richland in two and a half innings with a 26-1 final score.


Alec Jackson pitched for the Lady ‘Cats, striking out five and walking four. Jackson technically threw a no-hitter on the day. Richland’s only run in the contest came in the first inning; Jackson walked the first batter she faced, and after two wild pitches, Jones advanced to third. McCormick grounded into a fielder’s choice, and the ‘Cats opted for the out at first instead of risking a play at the plate.


Dexter’s offense exploded in the bottom of the first, scoring 16 runs on 10 hits, including a home run from sophomore Taylor Owens.


The Rebels received a walk from Jackson to start the second inning, but their next two batters struck out. Another walk was given to Myers, followed by a Jones K to end the inning.

Dexter’s offensive surge continued in the bottom of the second - the Lady ‘Cats put up 10 runs on five hits - and Lauren Massingill hit the ‘Cats second home run of the contest.


The Rebels were three up, three down in the top of the third to end the game due to the 15-run rule.


The Lady ‘Cats will move on to face the Bernie Mules on Tuesday (April 19) afternoon in a 12:00 p.m. contest.







BERNIE v. ADVANCE

The Lady Mules defeated Advance in three innings Monday (April 18). Rachel Palmer had a big day at the plate, going 4-4 with five RBI’s. Rachel Vernon went 3-3, and Haley Stockton had three hits, including a home run, for three RBI’s. Alicia Rasmussen had four RBI’s.

"We really hit the ball hard today,” coach Jeff Rodgers said.  “Palmer had a big day and Rasmussen ended the game with [grand slam]. We'll need to hit the ball like that tomorrow in order to have a chance to beat Dexter.  As always, our pitching and defense will have to be there also."

BREAKING NEWS

The Dexter High School softball game at Doniphan and baseball game at Sikeston scheduled for this afternoon, Friday, April 15, have been cancelled due to weather conditions

According to DHS Principal Corey Mouser, Saturday's baseball doubleheader against Cooter and Twin Rivers at Cooter has been postponed until April 23.

No rescheduling has been announced yet for today's games.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Lady ‘Cats brought home a whopping 17-1 win (in three innings) against the Puxico Lady Indians on Thursday (April 14) afternoon.

Senior Alec Jackson took to the mound for the Lady ‘Cats, striking out six batters and giving up one walk during the three-inning contest. Jackson was also 2-2 at the plate with two walks, two stolen bases, three runs scored, and an RBI.

The Lady ‘Cats capitalized on every mistake made by the Puxico battery, scoring eight runs on wild pitches. Freshman Kendra Stevenson also stole home during the third inning. Stevenson finished the day 2-2 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The Lady ‘Cats will take the field next week in the Stoddard County Tournament, held at Bell City High School. Dexter will face Richland at 12:00 p.m. Monday (April 18) afternoon.

Photo above Emily Triplett slides under a tag at home plate during the second inning of Thurday’s 17-1 blowout against Puxico. Triplett finished the contest 1-1 at the plate with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The Bearcat baseball team came back from a six-run deficit against New Madrid County Central to get a big win on Thursday (April 14) afternoon. The ‘Cats were down 8-2 going into the bottom of the third inning, but put up five runs in the third, fourth, and sixth innings, as well as four runs in the fifth to get a 21-11 win.

Logan Northern made his first Varsity start for the Bearcats in the contest. Northern has had success at the JV level, and coach Brian Becker brought him up to fill in on a Varsity rotation that has been plagued by injuries this season.

“I pulled [Logan] up today; he’s started a few JV games this season and done a good job for us,” Becker said of his starter. “I was pleased with what I saw. He missed locations on occasion, but he was getting his curveball over. Hopefully he’ll learn from that and come out with an even better outing next time he’s up.”

Northern pitched five innings for the Bearcats, earning 3 K’s and only giving up 2 walks. Northern did have two wild pitches in the contest, but overall had a successful first varsity start.

Becker also noted the difficult schedule that the Bearcats have in the next several days as a factor in his decision to start the youngster.

“I thought today would be a good day to get him some innings, especially with the schedule we have coming up,” Becker commented. “We have eight games in five days, and we need all the pitching we can get. I thought he stepped in today and did a good job.”

Chase Young, Dexter’s sophomore shortstop, had an excellent day at the plate. Young was 4-4 with four stolen bases, five runs scored, and a walk in the contest.



“Chase had a heck of a game today; he’s a good baseball player,” Becker continued. ”He’s one of the better sophomores that I’ve had here. He’s struggled early with the bat, but he’s starting to break out of it. Anytime you can get your leadoff hitter on base 5 times you’re going to score a lot of runs, and he provided that spark for us today.”

The ‘Cats showed great speed on the bases in the game, coming up with nine steals and advancing runners four times on pass-balls and wild pitches.

“We’ve got some decent speed on this team, and we like to use it when we get the opportunity,” Becker added. “Today we had some opportunities to take a base; it was good base running on the part of our players.”

With the victory, the ‘Cats move to 6-3 on the season, and will face the Sikeston Bulldogs on Friday (April 15) afternoon.

“Sikeston’s a good ballclub,” Becker said of the ‘Cats’ next opponent. “They were beating Jackson 11-6 today. They’re always well coached. Coach Self does a heck of a job with them over there, and they have a lot of good young talent. He’s got some good ballplayers over there, so hopefully we can get over there and compete well.”

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

Photos above Top Photo: Logan Northern delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of Thursday’s 21-11 win against NMCC. Northern, making his first start at the varsity level, fanned three and walked two during his five innings of work.
Bottom photo: Chase Young slides under a tag during one of his four stolen bases in the contest. Young was also 4-4 at the plate with a walk and five runs scored.