April 15, 2016
NMCC's 10 hits more than enough to sink Dexter
Cold, windy conditions couldn't put a damper on New Madrid County Central's offense Thursday against the visiting Dexter Bearcats.
By Brent Shipman ~ Standard Democrat
NEW MADRID -- Cold, windy conditions couldn't put a damper on New Madrid County Central's offense Thursday against the visiting Dexter Bearcats.
Though they came up just short of a mercy-rule finish, the Eagles put up eight runs in the fourth inning alone to down Dexter 12-3 to inch closer to the .500 mark on the season.
"We took advantage of opportunities when we could," NMCC head coach Joseph McClarty said. "We had an opportunity in the first inning to get some runs and their third baseman made a great play down the line. Garrison Keene came back up in the second with the bases loaded and got a big hit there to clear the bases. We just took off from that."
As McClarty mentioned, the Eagles stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning, allowing the Bearcats (5-10) to take the lead with two runs in the second.
NMCC (4-5) retaliated in the home half with a four-run, two-out rally that put them on top for good. An initial fly out and ground out had the Eagles close to going down in order, but a single from No. 9 hitter Brian Mickle got things started.
Palmer Campbell singled in the first run of the inning before a bases loaded double from Keene gave his team a 3-2 edge. A passed ball capped the rally and gave the Eagles a 4-2 advantage.
"Today has kind of been a microcosm of our season," Dexter head coach Brian Becker said. "Our starting pitcher" made some good pitches, but made some huge mistakes though. That 0-2 pitch he grooved and a kid hit a shot on it to take the lead away from us. That was a big momentum swing there."
An RBI triple from Chandler Young in the top of third had Dexter within a run, but NMCC answered again by blowing the game open in the bottom of the frame.
Keene picked up his third and fourth RBI with a single before another two-out situation came back to haunt the Bearcats.
With the bases-loaded the Eagles hit a cleanly fielded grounder to short, but with no one covering third base Dexter was unable to secure the final out. The mistake cost the Bearcats another six runs thanks in large part to a bases-loaded single to right field from Jacob Keene that cleared that emptied the base paths.
Just a run shy of the mercy-rule, at 12-3, the Eagles' offense cooled, but NMCC easily cruised to the win.
"We took advantage of a fielder's choice there and then their right fielder misplayed a ball that allowed the bases to clear," McClarty said. "We put an eight spot up there. Coach Becker had some young kids over there and he's doing a good job with them. We just come up on the right side of their mistakes today."
Outhitting the Bearcats 10-4, the Eagles were led by Keene's 4 for 5 effort that included a double and four RBIs. Keene and Campbell collected two hits and two RBI each.
For Dexter, Young was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. He also drew a walk to reach in 3 of 4 appearances. Jason Jarrell and Jacob Pedigo both singled.
Becker's looks back on the top of the third, when Jarrell led off with a hit, as a big turning point in the game. Young tripled in Jarrell to leave a runner on third and no outs.
An infield fly and back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat, however, with Young stuck on third base.
"We have the tying run on third, no outs and we can't find a way to get a ground ball or fly ball to get that run in," Becker said. "It was a huge momentum swing and after that the wheels just fell off that one inning. It's been a difficult year so far. These kids are trying. It's a young group and it's for lack of effort.
"There just trying to get better as players and sometimes I grow impatient and need to try and be more patient."
Campbell went a full seven innings to collect the win, allowing three hits, five walks and struck out eight. He didn't allow a hit after the third inning.
Though he was hoping to see Campbell pitch a few less innings, McClarty was pleased to see his ace battle through the off and on rain that left conditions less than ideal.
"It looked like it was going to push away and not rain as much, then it kind of set in for a couple innings," McClarty said. "He did a pretty good job. He settled down after we made some defensive miscues in the early innings of the game. From then on he was lights out and did a great job."
Dexter 021 000 0 - 3 4 2
NMCC 040 800 x - 12 10 3
WP -- Palmer Campbell. LP -- Riley Mason. Multiple hitters: (D) Chandler Young 2-3; (N) Jacob Keene 2-2, Palmer Campbell 2-3, Garrison Keene 4-5. 2B -- (N) Campbell, Keene. (D) Young.
sports@standard-democrat.com
Advertisement
Advertisement