By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

A Dexter High School senior will be taking her power and skill on the softball diamond to college next season.

Dexter’s lone senior member of the Lady ‘Cats softball squad, Alec Jackson, signed a letter of intent to play next year at Shawnee Community College in Ulin, Ill.

Alec was a powerhouse player for the Lady Cats. She was one of the squad’s two pitchers, and was a natural leader of the young team.

“I had two really good pitchers this year – Alec Jackson and Kendra Stephenson. They helped us lot and combined with our good defense,” said head softball coach Tammy Crowley.

Alec garnered all three softball awards at the recent Spring Sports Banquet – Highest Battling Average (.589), Most Valuable Player and Team Dedication Award, which is voted on by the girls on the team. She also lettered in softball all four years at DHS.

“Like the girls, I recognized that Alec’s skills, leadership and dedication were invaluable to our team this year,” Crowley said of the senior.

Shawnee plays a number of Missouri community college teams, include Three Rivers, Mineral Area, East Central, and St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley and Forest Park. Three Southeast Missouri students played on the Shawnee team during the 2011 season – McKenzie Knotts of Campbell, Sierre Seiler of Leopold, and Jessica Tuschoff of Jackson.

Jackson is the daughter of Ralph and Sheila Jackson and has also been an active member of the DHS Bands during her high school career.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

POTOSI, Mo. - After a being postponed last weekend, members of the Bearcat Tennis Team competed in the District 1 Individual Tennis Tournament Monday (May 16) afternoon in Potosi, Mo.

“Individual districts were played today as a rain date makeup from Saturday, May 14,” head coach Leanne Dooley said.

Tyler Miller drew a first round bye in the tournament, but had to win two more matches to make it to the championship match. Miller claimed the Singles District Championship after defeating Lucas Rodgers of North County 6-0, 6-2.

Dexter's doubles team of Sam Ward & Brauck Burge took second place in the district by drawing a bye, then playing two more matches before losing the final match to Farmington's #1 team.

All three of these players go back to Potosi on Tuesday (May 17) afternoon to play sectionals against the first and second place winners of District #2.


The two singles winners and the two doubles winners will advance to State Tennis Competition at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Mo., May 27 & 28.

Also representing Dexter were Kyle Willis, who won his first round match, then lost, and the doubles team of Hunter Mathis & Cedric Bernier who lost their first round match.

Thanks to coach Leanne Dooley for providing the above information.

Photos Above:
Thanks to SMT reader and Bearcat Mom Tracy Miller for the above photos.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - A two-out RBI single from Brad Potts in the bottom of the 12th inning was able to push the ‘Cats past the Scott City Rams in the Class 3, District 1 tournament on Saturday (May 14) night.

“I’m so proud of my guys,” head coach Brian Becker said after the game. “We were down by two runs late in the game and we pulled it out. We had some opportunities to score some more runs, but for whatever reason we didn’t.”


Becker noted Scotty City’s pitching staff in forcing the game to go as long as it did.

“You’ve gotta tip your cap to Scott City’s pitchers; [Hunter Cox] was in a tough spot and struck out our three, four, and five hitters in the fifth inning to keep us down by three and only gave up one run out of a bases loaded, no-out situation on a pass ball.”


“[Scott City is] a very good ball club; they’ve been here before. It’s their first year in class three - they were a final four team in class 2. They’re a very good ball club, but I’m proud of my guys for gutting this one out.”



Potts wasn’t the only hero in the contest, however. Teammate Alex Cliff, who has posted double digit RBI’s in the last two games, hit a bloop single into right field with two outs to drive in two runs in the bottom of the seventh and force extra innings. “That hit by Cliff was huge,” Becker said. “It was a big hit that we’d been lacking earlier in a game. He couldn’t have picked a better spot to do it in.”


“Pottsy got a base hit the at-bat before so I knew he was starting to come around a little bit,” Becker added. “He didn’t look very good at the plate early in the game, but he put the bat on the ball and scored Nick Noble.”

Potts came in to pitch in relief of Jordan Miller with no outs and a man on in the fourth inning. Miller, who started for the ‘Cats, struggled from the rubber and gave up eight hits and four runs, with five K’s.

Potts fanned four while walking one in his four shutout innings of work.


Becker made the decision to pull Potts from the mound before the start of the ninth inning.

“Brad had thrown 80-plus pitches, and as cold as it was tonight - a district win isn’t as important to me as my pitcher’s arm,” Becker noted. “He was cruising and pitching well. I asked him how he was feeling and he said his back was a little tight, so I made the decision to pull him.”


Owen Flowers came in to close out the game in the start of the ninth inning. Flowers struck out three but gave up two runs in the tenth.
“Owen Flowers came in and did a good job. He gave up a couple runs there in the top of the 10th, but he settled in and did a good job after that,” Becker added. “He got out there and got a win.”




With the win, the ‘Cats (10-10) move to .500 on the season, and look to move above .500 Monday (May 16) night when they face the Kennett Indians. Becker noted that the team’s struggles in the field can’t happen if the Bearcats want to have a shot at the district title.

“We have to make plays if we want to have a chance to beat Kennett. They’re one of the toughest teams in Missouri - not just southeast missouri, the whole state - but people don’t know that yet,” Becker said. “I’ve watched those kids develop over the last couple years - a lot of them were starters as freshman or starters. I don’t even know who we’ll see on the mound - it’ll probably be Andy Lack.”


Becker is unsure of who will get the start for the ‘Cats in the contest.


“We used a lot of pitchers that threw a lot of pitches tonight,” Becker said, “but whoever I stick out there Monday, I’m going to hand them the ball and expect them to do the job.”


 The Indians and the Bearcats will face off in the semifinal game of the Class 3, District 1 tournament on Monday night, with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.

Photos above Top Photo: Brad Potts gets a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning to push the 'Cats past the Scott City Rams in the Class 3, District 1 Tournament.
Bottom photo: Jordan Miller delivers a pitch during the second inning of Saturday night's matchup against Scott City.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Coming off a blowout win at home against Portageville Monday (May 9 - 17-3 final score), the 'Cats continued their offensive explosion against the Campbell Camels on Tuesday (May 10) afternoon. The 'Cats racked up 18 hits and 23 runs in the shutout contest.

Sophomore Brad Potts (5-2) got the 'W' for the 'Cats, striking out two batters during three shutout innings. The Camels just couldn't seem to put the bat on the ball, as Potts only allowed one hit; his only mishap came in the second inning, when he hit a batter.

Potts was 4-4 with two RBI's in the contest.

Nick Noble and Logan Northern took to the mound in relief of Potts in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.

Noble gave up two hits and a walk, but was able to get two K's. He also was 1-1 with a run scored.

Northern was able to get the first three batters he faced in the fifth out, including one strikeout. Northern grounded into a fielder's choice during his only plate appearance.



Alex Cliff, the Bearcats' first baseman, has been an RBI machine in the last two games. The junior was 3-4 with a walk, four runs scored, and 3 RBI's in the contest, after putting up 4 RBI's in Monday's game.

Senior Bryn Hester also had a great day at the dish, getting three hits and a walk in five plate appearances, including a two-out, two-run homer in the second inning.

Looking ahead to districts, the 'Cats have a 9-10 record - good enough for the #3 seed. The two blowout games this were huge momentum builders for the Bearcats.

Dexter will face Scott City on Saturday (May 14) night at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.

The game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start, weather permitting.


Photos above Top Photo: Alex Cliff connects on a pitch during Tuesday's 23-0 blowout at Campbell. Cliff was 3-4 with a walk and 3 RBI's in the contest.
Bottom photo: Brad Potts delivers a pitch during the second inning Tuesday afternoon. Potts struck out two and walked one during three shutout innings of work.

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

After a tough loss at the hands of the Twin Rivers Royals, the Dexter Bearcats returned home to face the Portageville Bulldogs on Monday (May 9) afternoon. The ‘Cats bats were hot in the contest, and after five innings, the Bearcats got the W with a 17-3 pounding of the Bulldogs.


Coach Brian Becker urged his team before the game to “start another win streak today,” and with district play looming on the horizon, the ‘Cats needed some positive momentum.


Jordan Miller got the start for the ‘Cats, and in his four innings of work struck out six batters and gave up 3 unearned runs.


Owen Flowers, who went 2-2 at the plate, came in during the fifth.


 “I thought Jordan threw a good ballgame,” Becker said of his starter. “We got up on [Portageville] and had a little trouble fielding the ball in the third inning to give up three unearned runs. Other than that it was pretty smooth sailing for the rest of the game.”

Alex Cliff, the Bearcats' first baseman, had a great offensive outing. Cliff went 3-4 with four RBI's and two runs scored, as well as stealing two bases.

The ‘Cats move to 8-10 on the season with the win, and will face Campbell on Tuesday (May 10) afternoon.


“[Campbell has] a good pitcher down there - kid’s done a heck of a job for them this year,” Becker said. “I’m hoping that we go down there and play another solid ballgame like we did yesterday and keep a winning streak heading into districts.”


The game is set for a 4:00 p.m. first pitch.

Looking ahead to the District Tournament - held at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau, the ‘Cats have earned the #3 seed and will face Scott City on Saturday (May 14) night at 7:30 p.m.

Photos above Top Photo: Jordan Fitts gets called out on a close play at the plate during Monday afternoon’s routing of Portageville. Fitts was 2-3 on the day.
Bottom photo: Alex Cliff slides safely under a tag at second base. Cliff had a huge day at the plate for the ‘Cats, going 3-4 with 4 RBI’s.