Dexter BB continues to compete despite recent losses

The Dexter High School baseball squad dropped its third consecutive game on Monday, and shaky defense by the Bearcats played into the loss, much like it has of late.

The Bearcats (7-9) committed five errors in their 6-4 loss at Doniphan (8-7), which made for 16 miscues fielded over the previous four games.

“We are working on fundamentals every day, still,” first-year Dexter coach Steve Edwards said recently. “We’re in the middle of the season, but we’re still going to work on fundamentals. We’re not going to get away from that.”

Of late, defensive problems have been an overriding theme for Dexter. However, also has been a willingness to compete.

In each of the past four games, even in a 14-5 loss to Woodland in the Stoddard County Athletic Association Tournament championship game, the Bearcats refused to go away quietly.

“It’s a team effort,” Edwards said. “The players and coaches are all buying in. It is the idea of having a culture. Where are we trying to go with this?

“If we do the little things right, then the big things will come later.”

Despite the recent skid, there have been signs of growth from the program.

After losing to Bernie earlier this spring, the Bearcats rallied with three runs in the sixth inning to beat the Mules in the SCAA Tourney.

The Cardinals had an opportunity to 10-run Dexter in the title game, but Edwards’ kids scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings, which forced the game to go all seven.

On Saturday, Dexter rallied to tie its game with Notre Dame after falling behind early, and even led 2-1 in the sixth against a very solid Bulldog (9-6) team, before falling 3-2.

And on Monday against the Dons, once again, Dexter dug itself a quick 3-0 hole in the opening inning but fought back to score four runs in the fourth before Doniphan answered with three more runs to win.

“We haven’t played for the next game or the day after,” Edwards said. “We have to win this game. So, that has been our mentality.”

Against Doniphan, Dexter wasted another great outing from reliever Brock Wyman, who also was very good in the SCAA Tourney in relief.

Wyman relieved starter Kaeden Kennedy, who had allowed three earned runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings while walking three and striking out two Don hitters.

Wyman pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and gave up just two hits, no runs, and no walks while striking out one. In 25 pitches, Wyman threw 17 strikes.

Bearcat No. 9 hitter, Houston Neely, had a great day at the plate, as he banged out three hits, scored a run, and drove in one. He also stole a pair of bases.

Nolan Alford had a double and one RBI, while Kennedy (one hit), Beau Carrier (three walks), Hunter Larson (one run), Cole Nichols (one hit, one run), Gibson Booker (one stolen base, one hit, one RBI, one run, one walk), Jackson Howard (one walk), and Wyman (one RBI) also contributed.

Doniphan junior Benjamin Killian had two hits to pace the Dons to go with a pair of RBI while Maddox Baucom (one run, one walk), Joseph Burton (one hit, two runs), Keaton Kepley (one run, two RBI), Blake Lewis (one hit, one run, one walk), Keaton Willcut (one walk), Garrett Griffin (one hit, one RBI), and Sean Gazaway (one run, one hit) also were productive for Doniphan.

Kepley threw four innings while allowing six hits and four earned runs to go with four strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Willcut was very impressive in the final three innings. He didn’t allow a run, gave up just one hit, struck out four, and walked three.

Dexter will host Twin Rivers (9-8) today at 4:30 p.m.

Doniphan, which has now won two straight following a three-game skid, will visit Caruthersville (5-10) today at 4:30 p.m.