CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Dexter Bearcats baseball team picked up another huge SEMO Conference win with a 5-2, extra innings victory against Cape Central on Tuesday.
The Bearcats scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning to pull out the win.
Eric Bowling provided the game-winning hit, driving in Cody Boyer with a single to go ahead 3-2.
"We had guys step up in the top of the last inning and get some big hits for us," said Dexter head coach Brian Becker. "Boyer's a real catalyst for us, getting that game-winning run. We had some clutch hits and took advantage of some of their mistakes. It's a good thing to happen for our program, to get a good win against Cape."
The win keeps Dexter's hopes alive for a SEMO Conference regular season title, improving its league mark to 5-2. They are 9-3 overall.
Reeling Cape Central falls to 4-10 on the season and 3-3 in the conference.
Dexter got a strong pitching performance from sophomore Josh Miller, who threw all eight innings, allowing two runs (one earned) off one hit with four walks and five strikeouts.
"Miller threw a great game for us," said Becker. "He really stepped up and kept the ball down and used his defense. He mixed up his pitches really well. You couldn't ask for a better job of pitching than what we got out of him today."
The Bearcats fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning but they tied the score in the top of the sixth. Boyer had an RBI-single and Bowling tied the game with a run-scoring single.
Bowling went 3-3 with a run and two RBIs. Willie Dooley was 2-4 with a run and Boyer was 2-4 with a run and an RBI.
Matt Burnett, Josh Lilly and Miller each had one hit.
Dexter will travel to play another SEMO Conference foe in New Madrid County Central today at 4 p.m.
CHAFFEE - The Chaffee Red Devils bounced back after a tough loss with a 12-2, 10-run rule victory against Oak Ridge.
Chaffee's Chase Eskew picked the win on the mound, throwing all five innings and allowing two runs off five hits and four walks while striking out five.
Chaffee (8-5) had production up and down the lineup. Brandon Davis led the charge with two hits and four RBIs. Andrew Horrell and Sam Burnett also had two hits each.
Others with one hit were James Reischman, Zac Horman, Brent Thomason, Eskew (3B), Derrick Urhrhan and Robert Coomer.
"We came out tonight and got on them early," said Chaffee head coach Brian Horrell. "We really swung the bats well. We spent some extra time before the game working on it and it paid off. And our defense was much better -- we only had one error. I was really pleased with the way we played overall. Hopefully we'll continue to play well against Oran."
The Red Devils will host Oran today at 4:15 in a pivotal Scott-Mississippi Conference game.
ORAN - The Oran Eagles exploded for 10 runs late to pull away from Woodland on Tuesday.
Woodland held leads of 3-0, 7-4 and 8-6 but wasn't able to hold on.
Oran's Matt Seyer picked up the win, throwing seven innings and allowing five runs (three earned) off six hits and five walks with two strikeouts.
Tyler Nelson started the game but didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing three runs off two hits and two walks.
Oran (9-1) was led by Joey Bickings, who went 4-5 with three runs and four RBIs. He had two doubles and a homer.
Nathan Seyer went 4-6 with four runs and two RBIs with a double.
Others were Matt Bucher (3-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs), Trey Graviett (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, HR) and Ryne Wood (2-5, 2 runs).
Oran will play at Chaffee today at 4:15 in a big Scott-Mississippi Conference game.
BENTON - The Kelly Hawks improved to 4-7 on the season with a 10-0, six-inning victory against East Prairie on Tuesday.
Chase Deason picked up the win on the mound, throwing all six innings and allowing three hits with two walks and three strikeouts.
"It was Deason's first start and he came in did the job," said Kelly head coach John Gant. "What can you say -- three hits -- that's an awesome performance. And our defense really played well today. Major Burger made some really nice plays and that stood out. The guys looked really good today. Everything seemed to be clicking."
Burger also had a big day at the plate, going 3-3 with a double. Barry Zeigler was 3-3 with four RBIs. Others were Tyler Schlosser (2-3, RBI) and Jarod Staggs (2-3, RBI).
Kelly will play at Cape Central on Thursday in a SEMO Conference game at 4 p.m.
ESSEX - The Scott County Central baseball team won its first game in two years with a 10-run rule victory against Richland on Tuesday.
The Braves (1-5) plated nine runs in the third inning to blow the game wide open.
Daniel Holman was the winning pitcher, throwing all five innings.
He also had an RBI-triple.
Danny Boley, Chris Monroe and David McKnight each had two hits for the Braves.
Tim Comstock was the losing pitcher for Richland.
Zach Petter had a double for the Rebels.
Jordan Kettles, Larry Tilley, Randall McCollom and Landon Wheeler all had hits for the Rebels.
Richland (0-6) will play at Bernie on Thursday at 4:15 p.m. Scott Central will play at Bell City today at 4:30 p.m.