Promising start fades as Sikeston suffers big loss to Dexter

SIKESTON — Despite a promising start, Sikeston was unable to maintain the momentum as Dexter took control of the game with a dominant offensive display.

Relentless hitting and solid pitching lifted the Bearcats (3-4) to a 20-5, six-inning victory over the Bulldogs (1-8) at VFW Stadium in Sikeston on Monday, April 10.

“We fought through adversity and the boys rallied behind each other,” said Dexter coach Steven Edwards. “It wasn’t so much the coaching staff having to fire them up. The boys are growing into that culture and picking each other up.

Sikeston's Connor Wallace makes a throw to the first base for an out during a 20-5 loss to Dexter at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“I was pleased that no matter what happened in the game, we weren’t satisfied,” he continued. “They punched us in the gut during that third inning, but we stayed hungry and true to the plan at the plate. We never played like we were satisfied or went on cruise control like a lot of teams will with a big lead. They got after it and did their jobs.”

Dexter gained a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Those runs came when Kaeden Kennedy singled to score Brock Wyman, and Ryan Young and Kennedy scored on errors.

Sikeston answered in the bottom of the inning, tying it 3-3 after Trace Sullivan singled to score Joseph Heckemeyer, Sullivan scored on an error and Daeton Taylor scored on a sacrifice fly by Rush Ault.

Dexter's Cole Nichols takes a swing during a 20-5 victory over Sikeston at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The Bearcats came right back with six runs in the ensuing inning to take a 9-3 advantage. Those runs came after James Howard scored on a sacrifice fly by Nolan Alford; Hunter Larsen scored after a batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded; Young scored on a bases-loaded walk; and Cole Nichols doubled to score Gibson Booker, Cole Gibson and Kennedy.

“The plan at the plate was perfect after the third inning,” Edwards said. “We worked our plan to a tee, and the guys were really consistent in what we were trying to do. I loved the way our guys responded.”

The Bulldogs narrowed the lead to 9-5 after scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Those runs came when Brice Gordon and Heckemeyer scored on errors.

DExter's Cole Gibson sprints for home during a 20-5 victory over Sikeston at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Dexter added three more runs in the top of the fifth inning and put the game completely out of reach with eight runs in the sixth inning.

“At first it was an ugly mess and we came out and we’re a little flat,” Stevens said. “Then we took advantage of some things and cleaned up some stuff on our end and came away with the win. Sikeston is a tough team and the score doesn’t reflect how close the game was.

“Our pitchers threw well and challenged batters,” he continued. “I’m proud of them. The base running was good today. We stole a lot of bases and also took advantage of some pitches that got by their catcher.

Sikeston's Rush Ault throws a pitch during a 20-5 loss to Dexter at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Nichols led Dexter’s offense with three hits and five RBIs. Kennedy was the only other player with multiple hits. He finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs.

Beau Carrier earned the win after throwing two innings. He didn’t give up any runs on two hits.

Kennedy started the game and threw two innings, allowing no runs on three hits with a strikeout and a walk.

Dexter's Beau Carrier makes a catch during a 20-5 victory over Sikeston at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

Wyman pitched the final two innings and allowed no runs on two hits with two strikeouts.

Sikeston’s top offensive players were Carter Crow and Heckemeyer.

Crow finished 2-for-3, while Heckemeyer went 1-for-4 with a RBI and two runs.

Sikeston's Connor Wallace makes a catch during a 20-5 loss to Dexter at VFW Stadium on Monday, April 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

“Joseph Heckemeyer had an amazing day at the plate,” said Sikeston coach Wyatt Pratt. “He came into his own. The improvements he has made defensively, on the mound and at the plate are pretty incredible. He shows up to work every single day and it’s showing.”

Jacob Leavitt took the loss after throwing 3.2 innings. He allowed six earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and six walked batters.

Phillip Johnson also pitched and recorded a single out and allowed one earned run on no hits with a strikeout and two walks.

Heath Poindexter threw 1.2 innings, allowing seven earned runs on one hit with six walked batters. Rush Ault also recorded one out on the mound, while allowing two earned runs on two hits with one strikeout and one walk.

“We just lost focus,” Wyatt said. “We lost some of our competitiveness on the mound. Someone has to step up and take control on the mound. The good news is we get to flush this and get right back to work.”

Sikeston travels to Kennett (8-4) on Wednesday, April 12, and hosts Jackson (10-5) on Thursday, April 13.

Dexter hosts New Madrid County Central (4-4) on Wednesday, April 12 and Chaffee on Thursday, April 13.

__DEXTER 20, SIKESTON 5, F/6__

Dexter 003 638 x — 20 7 7

Sikeston 003 200 x — 5 6 5

W—Beau Carrier. L—Jacob Levitt. 2B—Dexter: Cole Nichols, James Howard. 3B—Sikeston: Joseph Heckemeyer.