Dexter splits with Kennett on Monday

Young Bearcats are using this summer to prepare for next spring

sd_sports@yahoo.com

DEXTER -- Playing a double-header against Kennett's jayvee and varsity baseball teams Monday evening, the Dexter Bearcats would come away with mixed results.

Dexter would start the evening with an 8-6 decision over the Indians jayvee squad in a six-inning contest.

After swapping only two players out for a pair of varsity-aged kids, the Bearcats consisted mostly of their jayvee squad against Kennett's varsity.

Despite what amounted to a 10-run rally late, Dexter wouldn't be able to overcome an early deficit in the second contest of the evening, falling 19-11 in four innings with the game being capped with an hour-and-a-half time limit.

"Whenever you trade out two guys for your jayvee and your varsity it makes for long night," Dexter coach Brian Becker said. "Right now for our program's pitching is our sore spot and it showed tonight."

After only allowing two runs in the first the Bearcats pitching struggled mightily in the second inning, allowing 13 runs in the frame, 12 of which came with two outs.

Though Dexter pitchers would allow eight hits in the inning, walks proved just as lethal as eight Indians would reach on a free pass.

Kennett would add another four runs in the top of the third before the Bearcats offense would break out of their scoring slump.

Trailing 19-1 coming in the bottom of the inning Dexter was able to start closing the gap, scoring six in the frame off five walks and four hits, to leave them trailing 19-7.

The Bearcats would hold Kennett scoreless in the top of the fourth before Joseph Greer would put up four runs in the bottom of the frame with one swing of the bat.

After Chase Young singled to start the inning followed by two straight walks, Greer would hit a drive deep to left easily clearing the fence to make it a 19-11 ball game.

"I was surprised by Joseph Greer," Becker said. "He stepped up there and hit a grand slam for us. That was kind of unexpected, but I was proud for him."

Unfortunately for Dexter, their comeback would be stopped short as the game was called due to time constraints.

"I thought we swung the bats well both in the jayvee and varsity games which gives me some hope for next spring that maybe we can out-slug some people," Becker said.

"We didn't have a good showing tonight in the varsity game, but I was pleased with the way we swung the bats."

At the plate, Dexter compiled 10 hits in its varsity contest with Greer, Brad Potts and Chase Young tying for the team lead with two apiece.

With only a few returning varsity members from their high school varsity team, the Bearcats have spent most of the summer playing what is essentially their jayvee squad against other teams varsity players.

"It's been that way the whole summer," Becker said. "We're playing extremely young and we're running into teams that are definitely above our skill level in all facets. It is what it is and we have to go out there and try to compete the best we can.

"Hopefully these young guys will learn a lot this summer and get better coming in to next spring."

Though they've had some lopsided decisions Becker's optimistic it will all pay off in time for the next high school season.

"The good thing about this is it's summer ball," he said. "The whole premise for what we're doing is to get better. Hopefully these kids get out there on the mound and learn how to pitch and learn how to compete."

Kennett 2(13)4 0 -- 19

Dexter 1 0 6 5 -- 11

WP -- Ryan Pullin. LP -- Zach Watson. Multiple hitters -- (K) Collin Smith 2-3, Thomas Stillman 3-4, Cody Marson 2-4, Hunter Crittendon 2-4; (D) Brad Potts 2-3, Chase Young 2-2, Joseph Greer. 2B -- (K) Tyson Campbell, Smith; (D) Potts, Cody Neldon. HR -- (K) Stillman, Chad Stanley; (D) Greer.