Preview: Dexter high school softball team

The Dexter high school softball program has been prepping for a big season under first-year head coach Starla Pulley for months.

"I'm real excited," Pulley said of taking over the program. "We've been working on our defense since the fall in open gyms. We've also had morning practices for our pitchers to try to get them ready."

16 players are out for softball at Dexter High this season.

The Bearcats' softball roster is composed of senior Dakota Silliman; juniors Anthony McKenzie, Brittany Brown, Carey Kaylee, Kirsten Durrow, Halley Sielert, Olivia Sitzes, Amber Spence and Alexis Tankersley; sophomores Haley Cornett, Cheyenne Mosby, Emily Mouser and Morgan Ross; and freshmen Victoria Beaird, Hannah Gibson and Jacey Pyles.

Weather permitting Dexter opens its season today at 4:30 p.m. when it hosts Bloomfield.

"We have a pretty tough schedule, I think," Pulley said. "We added more games this year. They didn't have a full schedule last year. We wanted to pick up some teams with substance that could challenge us to be a better team and get us ready for the county and district tournament."

Dexter must replace seniors Brittany Bryant, Ashley Brown and Kendra Stevenson who graduated off of last season's squad that placed second in its district.

Stevenson handled the majority of the pitching responsibilities last season.

Pulley said she expects Ross, Durrow Silliman and Tankersley to compete for time in the circle this season.

Pulley added she thinks her upperclassmen will provide much of the pop in the lineup.

Dexter's annual Swing Pink Tournament is April 11.

The SCAA Tournament is slated for April 20-21 at Richland High School. Advance beat Woodland in the SCAA Tournament title game last season.

"Advance has Hannah coming back," Pulley said. "She's going to be a good asset. Bernie lost Tori, but still has their other good athletes coming back. Puxico always has a good team and Woodland is normally in the thick of things."

Dexter is slated to compete in Class 1, District 3 with Bernie, Bloomfield, Charleston, Malden and Risco at the end of the season. Malden beat Gideon in the Class 1, District 3 title game last season and Bernie beat Dexter in extra innings in the Class 1, District 4 championship last season.

"I went and watched them play last year because I knew I was going to be coaching," Pulley said of the Class 1, District 4 championship. "They were disheartened last year with losing and are hungry to come back this year and try to get that win. They've put in a lot of time, are focussed and are working really hard so we will see what the season brings."

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2015 Dexter High School Softball Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time

3/24 Bloomfield Home 4:30 p.m.

3/25 Clearwater Home 4:30 p.m.

3/26 Advance Away 4:30 p.m.

3/27 Woodland Home 4:30 p.m.

3/31 Kennett Home 4:30 p.m.

4/1 Bernie Home 4:30 p.m.

4/7 Malden Away 4:30 p.m.

4/9 Zalma Home 4:30 p.m.

4/10 Doniphan Away 4 p.m.

4/11 Pink Tourn. Dexter TBA

4/13 NMCC Away 4:30 p.m.

4/14 Charleston Away 4 p.m.

4/16 Puxico Home 4:30 p.m.

4/17 Twin Rivers Away 4:30 p.m.

4/20 SCAA Trn. Richland TBA

4/23 Holcomb Away 4:30 p.m.

4/24 Greenville Home 4:30 p.m.

4/29 Leopold Home 4:30 p.m.

5/1 Caruthers. Away 4 p.m.