Dexter rallies to down NMCC 5-2 on Eagles' senior night

sports@standard-democrat.com

NEW MADRID -- In their final tuneup before the postseason Dexter played spoiler Wednesday afternoon during New Madrid County Central's senior night.

Guided by six innings from starting pitcher Jacob Pedigo the Bearcats overcome an early two-run deficit for a 5-2 win.

"It was nice to get a win today," Dexter head coach Brian Becker said. "I thought Jacob did a really job on the mound for us. He really mixed his pitches up well and I was glad to see Austin Aldridge come in and close it out for us."

NMCC (9-16) was the first to strike with a two-run first inning that included three-straight hits from Kiel Causey, Jake Reed and Gage Silman to open the frame.

A leadoff single from Dalton Manuel ignited a three-run outburst from the Bearcats (11-13) in the third, however, and Dexter never looked back.

Colton Averett doubled in the first run of the rally before a Jason Mattison single scored another two runs to give the Bearcats a 3-2 advantage.

With runners on first and third early in the fifth inning Dexter got an insurance run off a balk call. Chandler Young followed up with a line drive to right-center field to make up the 5-2 final.

Down to their final trip to the plate, the Eagles looked to ready to strike in the bottom of the seventh when back-to-back walks brought the tying run to plate with one out.

Relief pitcher Alridge settled down soon after and got a high pop up caught in foul territory by the catcher. A high fly ball to deep left field was caught to end the threat and give the Bearcats the win.

"They got three runs off Landon (Martinez) and Landon isn't normally one of our pitchers," NMCC head coach Joseph McClarty said. "They have a couple runs off Garrison and Palmer (as well), but overall we pitched well and we played defense well. We just didn't swing the bats the way we needed to. We were fouling off pitches, not trying to stay middle, but we'll work on that the next couple days and be ready to go Saturday."

In picking up the win, Pedigo went a full six innings before getting pulled after a leadoff walk to start the seventh. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out two.

After allowing three straight hits to open the game he only surrendered two more the rest of the way.

Aldridge secured all three outs in the seventh with the Bearcats catching a base runner stealing while he faced his first batter to eliminate the free pass Pedigo let up to lead off the inning.

Dexter outhit the Eagles 11-5 with Aldridge, Mattison and Young collecting two hits each.

Averett had the only extra-base hit of the contest, a double, and leadoff hitter Jason Jarrell reached twice getting hit by a pitch and walking.

"We swung it a little better today than what we did yesterday," Becker said. "But we still have some holes in our swings that we have to fix fast. We have districts Saturday and we'll have a short practice tomorrow because we have a sports banquet and then Friday will be a big day for us. We have to start doing to the little things that win games. "

Causey's 2 for 3 effort led NMCC and he also drew a walk to reach in three appearances. Silman singled and drew a walk while Reed and Garrison Keene singled.

Both team will now prepare for the Saturday when they open their respective district tournaments.

Entering the postseason as the defending Class 3, District 1 champions, NMCC earned the second seed in this year's tournament. They'll face Hayti Saturday at 2 p.m. at Malden, who both hosts this year's tournament and holds the top seed.

In the Class 4, District 1 action third-seeded Dexter will play sixth-seeded Doniphan Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Doniphan High School.

Dexter 003 020 0 - 5 11 1

NMCC 200 000 0 - 2 5 0

WP -- Jacob Pedigo. LP -- Landon Martinez.Multiple hitters: (D) Austin Aldridge 2-4, Chandler Young 2-4, Dalton Manuel 2-3; (N) Kiel Causey 2-3. 2B -- (D) Colton Averett.