Bearcat junior bringing 'high baseball IQ' to diamond, squad

There will be no shortage of tough tests this spring for the very young Dexter High School baseball squad, and today’s game at Class 2 No. 4-ranked Portageville (4 p.m.) is just the latest of those.

The Bearcats (2-2) have just one senior (Ryan Young) on their roster, and play several freshmen and sophomores, which might be overwhelming – to a degree – against the tradition-rich Bulldogs. However, one Bearcat that has the experience to compete well with Portageville is junior Beau Carrier.

“Beau just works,” second-year Dexter coach Steve Edwards said. “He’s a student of the game. He is always picking our brains as coaches and talking about the game.

“He just works on his craft.”

Not only does Carrier talk baseball in the dugout, but he does on dates, as well, according to his girlfriend, Bearcat senior Shelby Driskill.

“Baseball and hunting,” Driskill said of Beau’s favorite topics of conversation.

Carrier has filled a number of roles for Dexter baseball since starting his varsity career as a freshman.

He can play either corner infield position, as well as pitches for Edwards.

Edwards elected to go with Carrier on the mound to start the 2024 season, and he was magnificent in a 5-0 Bearcat victory.

Carrier limited Malden to one hit in six innings of work, he walked none and struck out 16 Green Wave hitters.

“He’s really efficient,” Edwards said.

Against the Green Wave, Carrier threw 60 strikes on 80 pitches.

He followed that effort up by nearly beating Class 4 No. 2-ranked Kennett before Dexter fell 4-3.

Against the Indians, Carrier pitched six innings and held Kennett to a mere two hits while allowing four earned runs, walking four, and striking out two.

“He throws strikes,” Edwards said. “That is the main thing. He is around the plate.”

Carrier’s philosophy fits what Edwards is teaching his deep staff this spring.

“Our idea is to pitch to contact,” Edwards explained. “If they hit, we’re going to play defense behind you.

“Beau believes in his guys.”

Carrier can also connect at the plate.

In a recent win over New Madrid County Central, he laced a double into left field, as well as got hit by a pitch and later walked.

Edwards likes how Carrier plays his third base position, as well.

“He has a high baseball IQ,” Edwards said. “He knows how to read (the ball). He reads the ball very well off of the bat.

“He knows every situation before every pitch. He knows where (opposing) people are and what we are looking for when the ball is hit.”