Lady 'Cats cruise to win

Amanda Dooley of the Dexter Lady Bearcats fires the ball past a Bernie Lady Mule during Wednesday's prep softball action at the Dexter Sports Complex. The Lady Bearcats posted an 18-3 win to finish the year with a 6-6 record.

The Dexter Lady Bearcats scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday and cruised to an 18-3 victory over the visiting Lady Mules of Bernie.

The victory not only leveled the Lady Bearcats' record at 6-6 to close the season; it also closed the book on the career of Dexter coach Don Goodwin.

"It was our last game and the kids knew it was my last game," Goodwin said. "I'm retiring from coaching and teaching at the end of the school year.

Dexter's Taylor Nelson slides safely into home against the Bernie Lady Mules Wednesday afternoon. The Lady Bearcats earned an 18-3 win to finish at 6-6 on the year.

"I'm going to ride my Harley, camp, fish and play golf."

Goodwin steps down with an overall career record of 107-65. He went 80-14 against other Stoddard County Activities Association schools.

"It was a really good win for them," Goodwin said of his players. "I wanted them to go out with a win for some momentum for next year. This win evened record up at .500, and that sounds a lot better than 5-7 and gives the girls something to build on next year.

The Bernie Lady Mules' Brittney Flannery delivers a pitch during Wednesday's 18-3 loss to the Dexter Lady Bearcats at the Dexter Sports Complex. Bernie is now 7-6 on the season.

"We were a really young team this year and all of them are coming back," Goodwin added. "So whoever coaches them next year is going to have some talent."

The Lady 'Cats, who did not have a senior on this year's squad, fell behind 2-0 after Bernie (7-6) batted in the top of the first inning.

Dexter responded by pushing 10 runs across the plate in the bottom half of the frame and six more in the second inning to take a 16-2 lead.

Mindy Jones of the Dexter Lady Bearcats connects on a single Wednesday afternoon as the Lady 'Cats posted an 18-3 victory over the Bernie Lady Mules. Jones scored two runs in the contest.

"We hit the ball, played good defense and had good pitching," said Goodwin. "That's how you win ballgames."

Freshman Amanda Dooley gave up only three hits to the Lady Mules as she continued her strong play on the mound. According to Goodwin, Dooley pitched every single inning for the Lady Bearcats this season.

Paige Garner and Taylor Nelson led the offensive attack as they both hit a homerun and scored three times.

Dooley, Jessica Fowler, Mindy Jones, Ashley Sisk and Melissa Williams all scored two runs in the victory.

"This was a pretty pitiful effort," said Bernie coach Jeff Rodgers. "Dexter is a good team but there's no way they should beat us like this.

"...I think that our girls are beat before they take the field just because our opponent's jerseys say 'Dexter' on them. We have to get over that hump. You have to try and just forget this game and get ready for the next one."

Lara Ford scored two runs and had one hit in the loss, while Brittney Flannery scored once and accounted for the other Bernie hit.

The Lady Mules are set to host the Portageville Lady Bulldogs Friday.

BERNIE -- (ab-r-h) Eubanks 2b 2-0-0, Ford 3b 1-2-1, Flannery p 2-1-1, McGowan ss 2-0-0, Boatner cf 2-0-1, Stone rf 2-0-0, Mirth lf 2-0-0, Spitzer 1b 1-0-0, Schwent c 2-0-0. Totals:

DEXTER -- Jones ss 3-2-1, Dooley p 4-2-2, Garner lf 3-3-2, Nelson 1b 2-3-1, Fowler 3b 2-2-1, Lewis 2b 2-0-0, Sisk c 2-2-2, Williams cf 2-2-1, Corlew rf 1-1-1, Taylor ph 0-1-0. Totals:

WP -- Dooley (6-6). LP -- Flannery. HR -- Dexter 2 (Garner 1, Nelson 1).