Malden pitching one-hits Dexter in season-opener

MALDEN, Mo. -- Malden pitching limited Dexter to just one hit over seven innings as the Bearcats dropped their season-opener, 6-2, on the road to the Green Wave on a cold and breezy Tuesday afternoon.

Dexter lead-off hitter Nick Noble delivered a single in the first inning and later scored, but that would be the only time the 'Cats would deliver a hit at the plate.

Four Malden pitchers combined to strikeout 13 Dexter hitters while walking seven.

"We just didn't swing the bats well today (Tuesday)," Dexter coach Brian Becker said after the game. "Nick Noble started out the game and had a tremendous at bat against Tanner Murphy. Tanner is one of the premier pitchers in this area. Nick stepped up there, first at bat and fouled some pitches off then laced a line drive to right field.

"After that DJ (Dowdy) had a good at bat," Becker continued. "Murphy made a good pitch and got him out. (Brad) Potts had a good bat right after that. Once again Murphy made a good pitch and got him out.

"The rest of the day, even when they took Murphy out, we got a little long with our swings because, and this is what I told the kids, we got a little long with our swing because we thought we could," added. "Obviously it didn't work. So hopefully, that is a lesson learned. We'll face a very good Kennett team tomorrow (Wednesday). Our approach has got to be short through the ball. If not, we'll have the same result tomorrow, not being able to hit."

Dexter took the lead in the first after Noble's lead-off single and three passed-balls plated the game's first run. The one-run lead was quickly erased in the bottom of the inning. Mitch Coleman led off with a single, moved to second on a errant pick-off attempt and went to third on a fielder's choice. Dexter intentionally walked Murphy, who stole second before E.J. Stanley delivered a two-run single.

Malden later added three more runs in the fourth before both teams added a single tally in the sixth.

Dexter stranded two runners in the third, and had three runners cut down at second in the fifth. The 'Cats later loaded the bases in the sixth (two walks and a hit by pitch) with no outs, but were unable to deliver at the plate.

"We had some opportunities there," Becker commented. "They gave us some base runner. We just didn't capitalize. We've got to do better in RBI situations and come up with the big hit some where."

Becker was satisfied with the effort of his three young pitchers used in the game.

"I threw two sophomores (Austin Aldridge, Blake Horton) and a freshman (Chandler Young) at them," Becker said. "I thought Austin Aldridge did a good job. I kind of put him in a bad situation there in the first inning when I intentionally walked Murphy with a runner on third. Murphy stole second and their four hitter came up with a big hit. That took the lead away from us, but after that I thought he settled in and did a good job the next few innings."

The three Dexter hurlers combined to allowed nine hits (all singles) while recording seven strikeouts and allowing just one walk and hit one batter.

The game was also the season opener for the Green Wave.

Dexter will next be in action today at home against Kennett in a SEMO Conference and district game. First pitch is set for 4 o'clock.

Becker said Potts will get the start for the Bearcats

JERRY JERRELL photo - Dexter catcher DJ Dowdy awaits the throw to the plate as Malden's Tanner Murphy (No. 15) races home from second to score in the first inning of the season opener for both teams Tuesday at Madlen. The Green Wave beat the Bearcats, 6-2.

NOTE: As of press time, there was a chance the Dexter-Kennett game could be moved to Kennett because of wet conditions at Dexter's field. A decision was to be made later in the day.