Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Lady ‘Cats Softball Team will be hosting their 2^nd Annual Swing Pink Tournament Saturday, April 6^th beginning at 9 am with the last game being played at 7 pm.

Several teams will be competing in the tournament, Holcomb, Meadow Heights, Portageville, Bernie, Van Buren, West County, Clearwater, Dexter, East Carter County, East Prairie, Winona and Zalma. 

This will be a great opportunity to come out and cheer for the Bearcats and see some other good teams from the area.

All of the proceeds from the Swing Pink Tournament will go to the Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Foundation, a local organization dedicated to helping families who are battling cancer. The 18 FORE Life originated in 2000, when four friends got together an decided it would be fun to raise some money for a good cause by hosting a golf tournament. In 2002, love offerings were sent out for the first time to families all over Southeast Missouri battling cancer and in need of love, hope, and encouragement.

After losing Ben Kruse in 2004, the event grew into much more than a golf tournament.  The phrase Celebrate/Give/Remember was coined and guided the efforts of organizers, sponsors, volunteers and golfers as hundreds gathered for the 2005 event and over $100,000 was raised.

To date, 18 FORE Life has given away just under $900,000 in love offerings with plans to break the $1 million mark this year!

Last year the Lady ‘Cats raised over $4,500 and placed 3^rd in the tournament, beating the East Prairie Eagles and the Neelyville Tigers.  Their only loss was to the Zalma Lady Bulldogs.

Let's cheer for the Lady 'Cats and raise some money for a good cause!  Go Bearcat Softball!!

9 am    Field B     East Prairie vs Zalma

            Field C     Holcomb vs Meadow Heights

            Field D     Portageville vs Dexter

11 am  Field B     Bernie vs Winona

            Field C     West County vs Clearwater

            Field D     Van Buren vs East Carter County

1 pm    Field B     Portageville vs Winona

            Field C     Holcomb vs Zalma

            Field D     East Prairie vs Meadow Heights

3 pm    Field B     Bernie vs Dexter

            Field C     Van Buren vs Clearwater

            Field D     West County vs East Carter County

5 pm    Field B     Meadow Heights vs Zalma

            Field C     East Prairie vs Holcomb

            Field D     Winona vs Dexter

7 pm    Field B     Portageville vs Bernie

            Field C     Van Buren vs West County

            Field D     Clearwater vs East Carter County

Dexter Lady 'Cats play at

9 am field D,

3 pm field B, and at

5 pm field D

Campbell, Missouri - The Bernie Mules softball team was in action again on Tuesday as they took on the Campbell Camels.  The Mules carried into the game a perfect record of 2 and 0 for the 2013 High School softball season having recently defeated the Advance Hornets.

In the first two games of the season, Blakely Bradshaw has shown herself to be an excellent pitcher capturing both wins on the season.  But Campbell High School were worthy competitors that could not be taken lightly by the Mules. 

Tori Lowrey got things started in the right way for the Mules as she stepped to the plate and delivered an opening Home Run smash to give Bernie a 1 to 0 lead in the first inning.  The Mules could not generate any further offense in the top half of the inning.

Unfortunately for the Mules, a rash of fielding errors followed and allowed the Camels to post two runs in the opening inning.  Bernie were retired in three batters in the second inning, while Campbell was able to add two additional runs making the score at the end of two, 4 to 1.

The Mules Baker was able to gain a single in the third inning that was capped off by a blasting home run by Jordan Ellenburg.  The Mules were able to stop Campbell's offensive move narrowing the margin of the lead to 4 to 3.

The start of the fourth inning immediately allowed the fans to realize that something good was going to happen for the Mules.  It appeared than all good things came in pairs as Wagner and Stone lead off the inning both delivering singles.  With two base runners, the Mules received two base on balls issued to McGowan and Bradshaw, with Spitzer tossing in a fielders' choice for good measure. 

With base runners all over the bags, power-hitting Tori Lowrey and Jordan Ellenburg stepped up to offer their rendition of the double-mint twins.  Both ladies hit the ball hard for doubles, driving in two RBI's each.  A great inning for the Mules scoring 7 runs to make the score 10 to 4 in favor of Bernie.

Campbell did find an extra offensive push in the sixth inning adding four runs in the 5th and one run in the sixth.  But Bernie back up their lead in the sixth adding an additional four runs of their own to ensure the win 14 to 9.  The win moves Bernie to an overall season record of 3 wins and no losses on the season. 

"We have been playing great defense, but had quite a few miscues today," noted Mules Head Coach Brad Botsch.  "Thankfully, we hit well overall."

"We have the potential to play really well," added Botsch.  "... and I think we'll keep improving."

The Mules will continue their softball season on Wednesday afternoon when they host the Tigers.

Advance, Missouri - The Bernie Mules continue their Spring sports as both the boys baseball team and the girls softball team traveled to Advance to gain two wins to add to their record.  The boys baseball were able to win 5 to 3 in extra innings as the softball team was able to gain their victory 7 to 2. 

Bernie Mules Boys Baseball:

 
A come from behind victory for the Bernie Mules never felt more sweet than in their game against the Advance Hornets.  Both teams have strong competitive groups of athletes with many recognizable names from each teams basketball program, you could expect that these athletes were going to compete.

Bernie was able to draw first blood in the second inning when Austin Hatchel pounded a double deep into the outfield for the Mules.  In an early gusty call by the Mules coaches, Hatchel was able to advance to third base where Sam Turner laid down a squeeze bunt to allow Hatchel to come home for a 1 to 0 lead.

The Hornets were able to tie the score in the third inning after Advance's Miller added a double of his own to the scorebook.  A Mule's fielding error in that inning and a sacrifice fly by the Hornet's Walker tied the score up at one run each.

Advance was able to take the lead in the fifth inning on another Mule's fielding error and some aggressive base running by the Hornets.  A wild pitch allowed the Hornets to take the lead 2 to 0.

In the seventh inning, Bernie was able to tie the score taking advantage on a walk by the Hornets pitching staff.  The Mules added two stolen bases and were able to score on a past ball.

Pushed into extra innings, Bernie was able to gather in 3 additional runs in the top of the eighth inning.  Senior leadership stepped forward as Will Barnett and Austin Hatchel were able to deliver RBI hits giving the Mules a 5 to 2 lead going into the bottom of the eighth. 

All the Mules had to do was hang on to get the win.  The Hornets did threaten the lead as Eggiman delivered a double followed by an RBI single by Barr making the final score 5 to 3 in favor of the Mules. 

The winning pitcher was sophomore Devin Trammel, who pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run and 3 strikeouts.  Junior Brad Freed had an excellent outing as he gave the Mules 6 innings with 6 strikeouts. 

In the "hot" bat category, Barnett and Hatchel each were 2 for 4 at bats for the game, while Advances Davis went 3 for 4 in the game.
 
" We didn't play well today at all.  We lacked enthusiasm and just didn't hit well," commented Mules Head Coach Darrin Shipman.  "We feel very fortunate to win as Advance outplayed us most of the game."
 
The Bernie Baseball team was back in action today as they traveled to Bell City to take on the Cubs. 

Bernie Mules Girls Softball:

 
The Lady Mules softball team was able to equal the efforts of their baseball counterparts with a 7 to 2 victory over the Advance Hornets softball team. 

Bernie found two big innings in the fourth and fifth innings adding five of their seven runs during the middle innings of the contest.  Tori Lowrey smoked the softball with a triple, a homerun and three RBI's on the day.  Jordan Ellenburg used her powerful bat to add a couple triples to her game average. 

Pitcher Blakely Bradshaw received the win for the Bernie Mules.  Both Bradshaw and the Bernie Mules improved their record to 2 and 0 on the 2013 season.   The Lady Mules will be back in action today as they host Campbell in Bernie.

Written by

Dee Loflin SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri - With the Lady 'Cats Basketball season completed, the final trophies were awarded to the Dexter Senior High School Winter Sports Athletes.

The Winter Sports Banquet was held prior to the Lady 'Cats traveling to Columbia for the ShowMe Showdown and therefore not all of the awards were presented.

Mrs. Nancy Vines, High School English/Journalism Teacher, took this photo in the gym last week of the students and their awards.

The Outstanding Winter Athletes included:

Trevor Waldner:  Most Aggressive Wrestler and Most Valuable Wrestler

D.J. Dowdy: Boys Basketball Free Throw Award

Brittany Harris: Girls Basketball MVP and Girls Basketball Rebound Award

Jordan Miller:  Boys Basketball Defense Award

Hannah Noe:  Girls Basketball Defense Award and Girls Basketball Free Throw Award

Brad Potts:  Boys Basketball Rebound Award

Cameron Craft:  Most Improved Wrestler Award

Congratulations to all of the Winter Sports students as they had a great season!

More photos can be seen on our showmetimes Facebook page: 2013 DHS Winter Sports Banquet photo album.

Dexter, Missouri - The TS Hill Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Baseball Team will be in action today, Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.

The schedule was to play Kennett; however a last minute change was made and they will be battling it out against Greenville this afternoon.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Middle School 'Cats will be playing at Campbell, Missouri.  Game time is 4:30 p.m.  They will be back on the mound at home on April 11th when they play the Bernie Mules.  Home games begin at 4 pm and are played at the ball field across from Keller Public Library.

Don't forget the Dexter Invitational will be played on Saturday, April 13th and should be a great day of baseball.


Student Managers are Bradley Freeman and Jacob Kidd.

Playing for the Bearcats are:


James Sneed and Kurt Lovelady are the coaches for the Middle School Baseball Team and look forward to seeing you there to cheer for the Bearcats!  They are having a pretty good season so far, recently beating East Prairie Eagles at home.  Let's Go Bearcat Nation and support them as they take to the mound at 4 pm TODAY!

You can see more photos of the Bearcats vs EP Eagles game on our Facebook page.