Bearcats rattle the bats in win over Bulldogs

JerryJarrell photo Bearcat Eric Windham connects for an RBI double in the second inning during of Dexter's 15-5 win at home over Portageville Monday.

Jarrett Laird scattered five hits over five innings and the Bearcats banged out 15 hits as Dexter defeated Portageville, 15-5, Monday at Dexter's East Park ball field.

Ben Mills collected his third hit of the game, a line drive to left, in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Portageville had elected to intentionally walk pinch hitter Caleb Stanley to load the base and set up a double play possibility with Dexter just one run away from ending the game early.

Mills finished with three hits for the game.

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter pitcher Jarrett Laird turns and throws to first on a pick-off attempt during Monday's 15-5 win by the Bearcats at home over Portageville. Laird picked up the win in the game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule.

Sawyer Smith also had three hits, while Caleb Miller added two. Miller drove in three runs, while Tyler Scott and Laird each plated two.

The Bearcats clobbered five doubles on the day, one each from Mason Noe, Eric Windham, David Hessling, Smith, Scott and Laird.

Miller's first-inning hit drove in Dexter's first run of the game and the 'Cats went on to score four to take the early lead.

Dexter tacked on a single run in the second, four in the third while Mills' winner capped a five-run fifth.

Laird struck out three in his five innings of work to pick up the victory. He allowed four walks and hit two batters.

Portageville scored once in the second on a home run by Caden Robbins to make it a 4-1 game and added one more in the fourth to make the score, 9-2. The Bulldogs collected three of their five hits in the fifth to push across three runs and cut Dexter advantage to 9-5 to set the stage for a 5-run game deciding fifth by the 'Cats.

Portageville pitcher Jay Singleton took the loss in his first start of the season. He worked four innings, allowing 10 hits and nine runs.

The Bulldogs slipped to an 8-8 season record.

Dexter, 14-4 overall and 7-0 in SEMO Conference play, will be in action today at New Madrid County Central with the regular-season conference title on the line. Eric Windham is scheduled to start the 4 p. m. game for the Bearcats.