By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

The Dexter Cardinals brought home the gold from a tournament in Piggot, Ar. last weekend.

The tournament was double-elimination, and spanned from Friday to Sunday of last week (June 24-26).
The Cardinals, coached by Dave Ellinghouse, Derek Driskoll, and John Daniels, is an eight year old and under pitching machine team.

The team started practicing back in March, and carried a 5-4-1 record into the tournament.


“Campbell was the only team that had beat us before the tournament,” Ellinghouse said. “We finished second in a tournament in Campbell in May.”

Ellinghouse was pleased with his young team’s performance in the Piggott Tournament.

“All the kids contributed to our wins in one way or another,” Ellinghouse said. “Camden Riley hit really well in the last couple games; everyone did well. It was just an exciting comeback. We won six in a row.”

The Cardinals lost to Walnut Ridge in the opening game of the tournament, sending them to the consolation bracket. On Saturday, the ‘Birds blew out Corning in their first contest, and moved on to play Portageville in their second game of the day. Andrew Ellinghouse hit home runs in back-to-back AB’s to spark a rally to force the game into extra innings and end in the Cardinals’ favor.


Saturday night pitted the Cardinals against Campbell - who they had yet to defeat in four chances this season.



“It was a great rivalry game for the kids,” Ellinghouse commented. “The kids played great ball and we came out on top.”


The victory pushed the ‘Birds to the consolation bracket finals Sunday afternoon, where they defeated Piggot for another shot at Walnut Ridge for the championship.


“The first game against Walnut Ridge was one of the best we’ve played all year,” Ellinghouse said. “We jumped out and held a pretty good lead the whole game. We got in to the sixth inning - unlimited scoring instead of the six run rule - and we had a 15-8 lead. They rallied to get to 15-14, man on first and second, and hit a shot to right center - Riley Moore made a great catch to get the third out.”


The Cardinals then had to face Walnut Ridge again, as they had not lost a game yet in the tournament, but Dexter easily won 18-9.

The Cardinals will host a tournament, held at the DPR Sports Complex, on July 12, 13, and 14.

Photos Above:
Top Photo: The Dexter Cardinals, consisting of Ryder Boles, Riley Slusher, Andrew Ellinghouse, Peyton Driskoll, Austin Daniels, Josab Brisher, Kade Allen, Dylan Sitze, Riley Moore, and Camden Riley, won a big tournament in Piggott, Ar. last weekend. The Cards are coached by Dave Ellinghouse, Derek Driskoll, and John Daniels.
Bottom Photo: The Cardinals taking a breather in the dugout while one of the teammates is at the plate.

Thanks to SMT Reader Amy Ellinghouse for the photos.


By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

SIKESTON, Mo. - The Dexter Bearcats competed in the SEMO Coaches Association Contact Camp on Thursday and Friday (June 23-24).


The ‘Cats competed against teams from Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Sikeston, and head coach Aaron Pixley was pleased with the statement his group made during the camp.


 “Our biggest goal was just to come out and be physical, play a hundred miles an hour,” Pixley said. “We competed well, and they know we were here, I can guarantee you that.”


“I thought we did a pretty good job considering that it’s June,” Pixley added. “From an offensive standpoint, we definitely played better [Friday] as a whole. We didn’t end [against Cape Central] playing quite as well, but I thought against Jackson and Sikeston we played real well.”


The ‘Cats’ running game appeared potent all day Friday, partially due to some excellent blocking by the offensive line. Last year’s starter, Josh Overall, was sidelined due to an offseason shoulder surgery, but Nick Summers did an excellent job, barreling over most defenders - it typically took at least three opponents to bring him down.


Dexter’s quarterback, Cody Stevens, showed more mobility from the pocket, coupled with seemingly better field vision picked up during the ‘Cats’ deep postseason run last year. “We ran the ball better today, and that’s what I really wanted to see,” Pixley noted. “Even against cape, our QB runs against went really well. We only had one negative run on the day; our goal coming in is to have no negative runs, to keep just gaining yards.”

When the coaching staff called on Stephens’ arm, he delivered. The senior delivered passes that were typically right on target, hitting his receivers in stride.


“We ran some very, very nice pass plays today,” Pixley added. “My quarterback and receivers were meshing well today.”



Never satisfied, Pixley noted the progress that the team has to make before the season opener on August 26 against Ste. Genevive.


“We’ve got a long way to go - it’s June and we’re raw. From a technical standpoint, fundamentals and basic things, sometimes we aren’t doing some things right,” Pixley said. “That’s why we looked sloppy at times, but, like I said, it’s June. Everybody is sloppy right now.”

The Bearcats’ next official camp is set for July 25-29.

The Terry Woods Memorial Golf Tournament will be held tomorrow and Sunday (June 25 & 26) at Hidden Trails Country Club in Dexter. This is a very special day for our community, and one that allows a great man's life to be highlighted to many people.

Terry was a man of few words, but many throughout the area knew of the love he had for his family. His love of music, golf and his church family was put on display each day of his life.

Even as Terry went through his struggles with cancer, he was brave, encouraging and strong. Terry’s quiet way of showing a Godly love to others was genuine to the core of his being.

Tomorrow is very unique, as it was the exact date in which his friends, neighbors and family gave him up to be with the Lord. Not only will the day be marked by the golf tournament, but a special memorial service will be held in his honor.

At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, members of Hidden Trails, businessmen and women from the community, church members and family members will gather to establish the Terry Woods Memorial at Hidden Trails Country Club.

An American flag pole is being erected as a tribute to Terry’s life and testimony of how he lived on this earth, not to celebrate the man but to celebrate the man’s way.

Additional proceeds raised from the event are slated for improvements to Hidden Trails Country Club, and will be used to improve the cart paths around the beautiful 18-hole course.

Currently, there are over 24 teams signed up and others are encouraged to join the event. The organizers are working to combine teams of single players and the cost is only $75 per person. Prizes will be given back to the club for renovations of the cart paths.

“It’s a fun day to simply remember Terry and the way he lived his life,” Jack Huffman, dear friend of Woods and event organizer, said. “We encourage everyone to join us at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow to join in with us.”

By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

The sound of shoulder pads popping around this time of year is music to most people’s ears.


There will be plenty of it on Thursday and Friday afternoon in Sikeston.


The DHS football team has been preparing to go to the Sikeston Contact Camp this week. Head Coach Aaron Pixley noted that the team has gone to the camp for five years, and that it’s a great way to jump-start the season.

“It gets us going physically, I think, because out here during camps, we don’t go full pads,” Pixley commented. “It’s the first day of the new football season where we get to go full pads, and we get to do it against different people. After a while, you get tired of hitting your teammates.”


“For me and the coaching staff, it really shows us who’s going to play hard and be physical and run as hard as they can - just being physical to the football,” Pixley added. “It’s the little things like that that will win championships.“


Coming off the most successful season of his coaching career at DHS, Pixley insisted that living in the past wasn’t going to help get anything done.

“We should be working harder, and this group is working hard. Nothing changes - we’ve done nothing in 2011. Everything we’ve done has been in the past,” Pixley said. “We didn’t play well the first half of the season last year; we have to execute better and get more consistent. We can’t wait until halfway through the season and start doing it. We need to get confident, build great habits early, and continue doing it throughout the season.”


Never satisfied, Pixley noted that hard work from his players would result in a successful camp and campaign this season.

“We have to work hard - we have a lot to prove to ourselves,” Pixley added. “Hopefully this summer helps our cause out, and hopefully this camp helps us out physically and tells us who is going to play hard, and hopefully we stay healthy.”


The Bearcats will be competing in a division with Sikeston, Cape Central, and Jackson during the two-day camp. The ‘Cats are scheduled for scrimmages at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday (June 23 & 24) at the SIkeston High School football field.


By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports

Tuesday (June 21) saw more great little league baseball and softball action at the Dexter Park and Recreation Sports Complex.


The youngsters were beginning to show a firmer grasp on fundamental aspects of the game, as well as more aggression at the plate.

It’s been an unusual season -with no rainouts - thus far, and hopefully the weather stays agreeable. Fans were able to enjoy the games in relative comfort, with temperatures in the 80’s and a steady breeze.

Another round of games is scheduled for Thursday night, with the season ending after next week's group of games.


Coaches are invited to send their games' scores and highlights to the ShowMe Times. Items should be emailed to amiller@showmetimes.com or acato@showmetimes.com, or click "Submit Event" at the bottom of the ShowMe Times homepage.

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The ShowMe Times will be out enjoying the youth league action this week, and a complete photo gallery of photos this week of the DPR season will be posted this weekend on the ShowMe Times!