Bernie, Missouri - The Lady Mules Softball team has been busy this week as they continue to expand their season record by defeating the Woodland Cardinals in Bernie by a score of 11 to 1 on Thursday.  With the 2013 season only in it's second week, Bernie packed this week with four games this week taking their record to 5 and 0.

"We hit the ball very well today and hope to continue our success," said Bernie Head Coach Brad Botsch.  We are getting contributions from everyone, and so far we are competing well."

Bernie collected two wins over Advance and Campbell on Monday and Tuesday.  The Mules were also able to gain another win on Wednesday as they defeated Risco High School in a close game, 6 to 4. 

After holding the Cardinals scoreless in the top half of the first inning, Bernie jumped on their opponent with hits by their first three batters in the lineup.  Katie Baker and Chelsea Wagner each led off with a single, followed by a smashing homerun by Tori Lowrey.  Jordan Ellenburg received a base on balls, and was driven home by Taylor Wilhite.  Lari Spitzer added a single and an RBI to drive home Wilhite to make the score 5 to 0. 

The Mules kept up their offensive assault on the Cardinals as Lowrey and Ellenburg each singled in the second and both were driven home on a hard hit triple by Wilhite.

Bernie was able to pick up an additional run in the fifth inning and then added three additional runs in the sixth inning. 

"Woodland is a fundamental team and their coach does a great job with her kids," complimented Bernie coach Brad Botsch. 

Bernie did get a slight break in the action Friday, but will quickly jump back into action on Saturday at the Swing Pink Tournament hosted by Dexter High School.  Bernie is scheduled to play at 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. 

12 High School Lady's softball teams will be at the East Park baseball / softball complex to participate in the Swing Pink activities.   All proceeds from the Swing Pink Tournament will go to the Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Foundation, a local organization dedicated to helping families that are cancer related illnesses. 

Organizers, coaches and teams encourage everyone to come out to enjoy a great tournament and help support the Ben Kruse 18 FORE life Foundation.

Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer

Dexter, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats were finally able to play a game at home Thursday afternoon.  The weather a little on the chilly side with overcast, but that wasn’t going to stop the Bearcats and Rams of Scott City from playing.

“Down 5-3 going in to the top of the sixth and come out 8-5, well that says something about the kids.”  Commented Scott City’s head coach Lance Amick.  The Rams had just won their game with Oran beating them 2-1. 

Scott City came up in the top of the sixth and loaded the bases as they had done a couple of times earlier in the game, but with no outs, they were able to score Travis Phillips from third.  This closed the Rams deficit to just one run. 

Minutes later, with runners on second and third, Scott City was able to send a double into left centerfield, clearing the bases.  Scott City now lead 6-5.

“We finally started hitting the ball and got some runners on base,” stated Brock.  “When that happens the players feed off each others energy.”

The Bearcats fell quickly in the 6^th as Brett Dirnberger retired each batter with a strikeout.  Scott City walked two of the ‘Cats three batters giving Dexter hope of winning with the tying run at bat and only one out.  No luck there, an infield pop fly and a strikeout closed the game making the Scott City Rams 6-1 on the season.

Cody Neldon was 3 for 4 with a run scored with Brad Potts getting two hits and a walk.  Sion Pixley had two hits, including a single in the fifth that gave the Bearcats their final lead of the game.

Dexter’s head coach Brian Becker said, “It wasn’t a very good loss for us today and not a very good day overall.  We didn’t field well, we didn’t hit well and our pitchers threw from behind.”

“They battled the whole game, but they pitched from behind with the exception of Austin Aldridge.  He came in to start the seventh and did a good job for us.  He got their three and four hitters out just working ahead of them.”

Dexter will be back on the mound on Monday, April 8^th taking on the Sikeston Bulldogs.  Game time is 4:00 p.m.  Then on Tuesday, April 9^th they will travel to Charleston to play the Bluejays.  Game time 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 11^th will be their next home game when they battle it out with New Madrid County Central at 4:00 p.m.

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.