Laird picks up district win as 'Cats explode on offense

Jerry Jarrell photo Dexter pitcher Jarrett Laird fires to first on a pick-off attempt during the Bearcats' 16-1 win over Doniphan in the first round of the Class 3, District 1 Tournament at the East Park Ball Field in Dexter Monday afternoon.

Dexter exploded for 14 runs in the fourth inning and made short work of Doniphan in a 16-1, 5-inning win in a first round Class 3, District 1 game on a perfect day for baseball at Dexter's East City Park Monday afternoon.

Dexter starter Jarrett Laird pitched a 5-hit complete game to pick up the win. The senior right-hander allowed back-to-back hits to open the game, but settled down to hold the Dons in check. He helped his own cause at the plate with a 2-for-4 effort that included three runs batted in.

Dexter collected 10 hits as Mason Noe joined Laird with two hits that produced 3 RBI and two runs scored.

"We got off to a slow start, but we came alive late," Dexter coach Brian Becker said after the win. "Jarrett was a little nervous at the start, but he settled down and was in control after that.

"And we had some big hits," Becker added. "They helped us some in the fourth, but Stoker's hit in the second really got us going," Becker added."

Dexter took a 2-1 lead and the momentum in the bottom of the second on a 2-out, 2-run shot to center by Stoker, who finished with three RBI. The Bearcats put the game out of reach in the fourth as the Dons used three different relievers to try and get out of the jam.

Jordan Casteel started and took the loss for the Dons. He was followed to the mound by Daniel Newman, Steve Oesterreicher and Zack Swindle.

Doniphan scored its only run of the game in the first as Russ Miller led off with a double that was nearly caught on a diving effort by Stoker in center field. The junior appeared to have made the catch, but the ball came out when he crashed to the ground.

Daniel Newman followed with a single to put runners at first and third before a hit off the glove of Noe at short allowed Miller to score the game's first run.

Becker will send Noe to the mound against Kennett, a first-round 4-2 winner over Caruthersville, in the second semifinal game today at 6 o'clock.

The first semifinal game at 4 p. m. will be between No. 1 Nore Dame and Fredericktown, which defeated New Madrid County Central, 7-3.

The district championship game is scheduled for 4 p. m. Wednesday.

GAME 1

FREDERICKTOWN 7, NEW MADRID COUNTY CENTRAL 3

Both Fredericktown and New Madrid collected seven hits for the game, but it was the Blackcats that manufactured more runs in a 7-3 first-round win.

Jake Sikes worked a complete game and shutout the Eagles through the first five innings. He helped his cause by scoring three runs on a hit and two walks as six free passes by the Eagles aided the Blackcats' offense.

Josh St. Mary took the loss for NMCC as Fredericktown scored in each of the first five innings.

Fredericktown will now take on the tournament's top seed, Notre Dame Regional High School, which received a first-round bye. The state-ranked Bulldogs will play the Blackcats in today's first semifinal game at 4 o'clock.

GAME 3

KENNETT 4, CARUTHERSVILLE 2

Three Kennett pitches held Caruthersville to just three hit, but the Indians could only manage five in the most tightly contested game on the first day of the Class 3, District 1 tournament at Dexter's East Park field.

Thomas Stillman started for the Indians and picked up the win, but it took fourth inning relief help from Logan Dollins and Cameron Wallace that held the Tigers to just one run in the inning to help nail down the win.

Kennett took a 1-0 lead in the first, but the Tigers tied the game in the top of the second on two errors, a single by Graham Gorchier and a ground out by Nick Wamble.

Kennet regained the lead with two in the bottom of the second, but the Tigers again struck in the fourth on a one-out walk to Peter Loyd who stole second, moved to third on a pass ball and scored on a wild pitch.