Dexter, Missouri - Colton Averett, well known catcher for the Dexter High School Bearcats and for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels summer ball, has committed to playing for the Shawnee Community College Saints in Ulin, Illinois.

Colton is the son of Marty and Lynn Averett of Dexter.

"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."

"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year.  He had a good spring for us and a good two years," stated Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard.  "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that." 

"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard.  "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids.  We are very pleased at what we are getting."

Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday.  Both Colton and Jason Mattison signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Jason's article by clicking HERE.)

Colton Averett received the Dexter High School Batting Average Award.  He had a .494 batting average entering District competition.

“He almost got to .500,” stated Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker.  “I started looking back at the last 15 or so seasons and I haven’t had anyone reach .500 yet and he’s so close to it.”

The Dexter High School  Most Valuable Player Award also went to Averett.

“This award is voted on by the players,” commented coach Becker.  “Not only did he bat .494 he had 38 hits, 13 RBIs, was 15 of 16 on stolen bases and threw out 12 base runners as catcher.  He’s had a great season for the Dexter Bearcats.”

"Coach Sheppard is a real nice guy," commented Averett.  "He talked to us a few times and we went there and checked it out."

"I think it will be good for both of us," continued Averett.  "I have been catching for Jason and have been on the same teams since I was 8 or 9 years old.  He trusts me back there and I know what he likes to throw."

When asked about his powerhouse hitting his senior year, he said, "I had a great senior season hitting.  I have to remember to put down the bat and continue working and take nothing for granted."

Colton has decided to pursue a degree in Ag Business.  His dad is a farmer and that he may try his hand at farming after college.

When asked about his most memorable times on the ball field, he said, "hitting that home run against Campbell and beating the undefeated Greenville team!"

Shown in the photo are Lynn Averett, Colton Averett, and Marty Averett.  Back row are Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.

Dexter, Missouri - Jason Mattison, Jr. a well known pitcher for the Dexter High School Bearcats and for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels summer ball, has committed to playing for the Shawnee Community College Saints in Ulin, Illinois.

Jason is the son of Jason Sr. and Carrisa Mattison of Dexter.

"I'm just thrilled these guys are getting to play together at the next level," Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker said. "These guys have been friends and teammates their whole life. I'm extremely happy for them. They deserve it."

He played for the Dexter Bearcats football team his freshman and senior year.  he participated in Cross Country his junior year, Wrestling his sophomore and junior year and Baseball all four years of high school.  He was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America.

"We had Brad Potts from Dexter who just graduated from our program this year.  He had a good spring for us and a good two years," commented Shawnee baseball coach Greg Sheppard.  "I talked to these guys last year when they were playing summer ball for the Charleston Fighting Squirrels and got the ball rolling off of that." 

"Two areas we are going to need as we graduated pitchers and catchers," commented Sheppard.  "We talked to them several times, had them in and they are two great kids.  We are very pleased at what we are getting."

Sheppard is speaking of two athletes that signed with Shawnee on Wednesday.  Both Jason Mattison and Colton Averett signed to play baseball for the Shawnee Saints. (You can read Colton's article by clicking HERE.)

“We are looking at Jason on the mound,” continued Sheppherd.  “We let our pitchers play others spots and try them out, but most end up just being pitchers.  Colton will be behind the plate catching for us.”

"It has been a dream of mine to play college baseball," Jason Mattison said.  "And I get to go there with one of my best friends.  It will be pretty cool!  Colton and I have been playing ball for over 10 years together."

Mattison pitched more than 63 innings for Dexter his senior season. He was 5-6 on the mound with a 2.64 ERA. Mattison also hit .338 with a team-high 16 RBIs and he had 7 doubles.

“We are in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and we just made a transition about three years ago up from Division 2 to Division 1 program and made it back into the Great Rivers Conference.” continued Coach Sheppard.

“We have always recruited real heavily into the Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Southeast Missouri, Western Kentucky, the Paducah area and Southern Illinois area.  It’s hot bed for us and a lot of access to some good players.”

Jason's most memorable game during his high school career was beating the undefeated Greenville during his senior year.  He will persue a degree in Business Administration.  Why did he choose that field, he said, "Because of my Dad!"

The ShowMe Times and the community congratulate Jason on his accomplishments and his continued baseball career!

Shown in the photo are Carrisa Mattison, Jason Mattison, Jr. and Jason Mattison, Sr.  Back row Dexter Baseball Coach Brian Becker and Shawnee Baseball Coach Greg Sheppard.

Charleston, Missouri – The field is ready for the Dinger Bat Fighting Squirrel Classic in Charleston.

The 12-team tournament begins on Friday and runs through Saturday at Hillhouse Park in Charleston and Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau.  Each team in this exciting wood bat tournament will play two games on Friday and two games on Saturday.

Teams competing are the Charleston Fighting Squirrels, Quincy Notre Dame, Southwest Central Baseball, Mayfield, Kentucky, Pemiscot County Legion, Riverbend Ducks, SEMO Pirates, St. Louis Sting-Miller, Sikeston Legion, St. Louis Sting-Larkin, St. Louis Stars, and the Missouri Rage.

The Dinger Bat Fighting Squirrel Classic is divided into four three-team pools.  The team finishing first in each pool on Friday will compete in a four-team championship bracket on Saturday.

The team finishing second in each pool competes in a four-team Silver Bracket and the team finishing third in each pool competes in a four-team Bronze Bracket.

Admission to the tournament is $5.00.

Friday’s Schedule at Hillhouse Park in Charleston 

Pool A: Charleston Fighting Squirrels, Quincy Notre Dame, Southwest Central

Pool B: Pemiscot County Legion, Riverbend Ducks, Mayfield

Pemiscot County Legion vs. Riverbend Ducks, 9 a.m.

Riverbend Ducks vs. Mayfield, Kentucky, 11 a.m.

Mayfield Kentucky vs. Pemiscot County Legion, 1 p.m.

Charleston Fighting Squirrels vs. Southwest Central, 3 p.m.

Southwest Central vs. Quincy, 5 p.m.

Charleston Fighting Squirrels vs. Quincy, 7 p.m.

Friday’s Schedule at Notre Dame in Cape Girardeau

Pool C: SEMO Pirates of Leopold, St. Louis Sting-Miller, Sikeston Legion

Pool D: St. Louis Sting-Larkin, St. Louis Stars, Missouri Rage

SEMO Pirates vs. St. Louis Sting-Miller, 9 a.m.

Sikeston Legion vs. SEMO Pirates, 11 a.m.

St. Louis Sting-Miller vs. Sikeston Legion, 1 p.m.

St. Louis Sting-Larkin vs. Missouri Rage, 3 p.m.

Missouri Rage vs. St. Louis Stars, 5 p.m.

St. Louis Stars vs. St. Louis Sting, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Schedule

Championship Bracket

SEMIFINAL: No. 1 Pool A vs. No. 1 Pool B, 1 p.m. at Hillhouse Park

SEMIFINAL: No. 1 Pool C vs. No. 1 Pool D, 1 p.m. at Notre Dame

THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 5 p.m. at Hillhouse Park

CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 7 p.m. at Hillhouse Park

Silver Bracket

SEMIFINAL: No. 2 Pool A vs. No. 2 Pool B, 11 a.m. at Hillhouse Park

SEMIFINAL: No. 2 Pool C vs. No. 2 Pool D, 11 a.m. at Notre Dame

THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 5 p.m. at Notre Dame

CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 7 p.m. at Notre Dame

Bronze Bracket

SEMIFINAL: No. 3 Pool A vs. No. 3 Pool B, 9 a.m. at Hillhouse Park

SEMIFINAL: No. 3 Pool C vs. No. 3 Pool D, 9 a.m. at Notre Dame

THIRD-PLACE: Semifinal Losers, 3 p.m. at Notre Dame

CHAMPIONSHIP: Semifinal Winners, 3 p.m. at Hillhouse Park

Dexter, Missouri - The Rib City Girls Basketball Shootout featuring 50 teams is slated for Thursday, June 11^th and Friday, June 12^th.  They will utilize three courts at the Bearcat Event Center, the middle school gym, high school gym, and Southwest Elementary gym.

The Lady Cats will play all of their games on court #2 of the Bearcat Event Center.  Beginning at 10:30 they take the court against Dresden, TN and at 12:45 p.m. they compete against Peabody, TN.  They play Benton, Illinois at 3:00 p.m. and Alton, Illinois at 5:15 p.m. 

The JV Lady Cats will begin their morning on Court #2 of the Bearcat Event Center at 9:45 a.m., they play Dresden JV at 11:15 a.m., and they play a game against Greene County Tech of Paragould, Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. in the High School gym. They also play on Court #1 at 6:00 p.m. against Neelyville.

The Dexter middle school girls basketball team will play Kennett 7^th grade on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. at the Southwest Elementary.  They will then move over to the T.S. Hill Middle School for a game at 6:00 p.m. against East Poinsett County, Arkansas.

Thursday Schedule

Bearcat Event Center – Court 1

Puxico V vs Van Buren at 9:45 a.m.

Bay V vs Clearwater V at 10:30 a.m.

East Poinsett County V vs Van Buren V at 11:15 a.m.

Conway V vs Clearwater at Noon

Bay V vs Van Buren V at 12:45 p.m.

Plato V vs Clearwater V at 1:30 p.m.

Puxico V vs Conway V at 2:15 p.m.

Poplar Bluff V vs Bay V at 3:00 p.m.

Plato V vs Peabody V at 3:45 p.m.

Puxico V vs East Carter County V at 4:30 p.m.

Twin Rivers V vs Van Buren V at 5:15 p.m.

Dexter JV vs Neelyville JV at 6:00 p.m.

East Poinsett County V vs Plato V at 6:45 p.m.

Neelyville JV vs Alton JV at 7:30 p.m.

East Poinsett County V vs Conway V at 8:15 p.m.

Bearcat Event Center - Court #2

Dexter JV vs Chaffee JV 9:45 a.m.

Dexter V vs Dresden V at 10:30 a.m.
Dexter JV vs Dresden JV at 11:15 a.m.

Neelyville V vs Dresden V at Noon

Dexter V vs Peabody V at 12:45 p.m.

Benton V vs Sikeston V at 1:30 p.m.

Neelyville V vs Peabody V at 2:15 p.m.

Dexter V vs Benton V at 3:00 p.m.

Notre Dame V vs East Poinsett V at 3:45 p.m.

Benton V vs Neelyville V at 4:30 p.m.

Dexter V vs Alton V at 5:15 p.m.

Poplar Bluff V vs East Carter County V at 6:00 p.m.

Neelyville V vs Notre Dame V at 6:45 p.m.

Jackson V vs Van Buren V at 7:30 p.m.

Twin Rivers V vs Plato V at 8:15 p.m.

Bearcat Event Center - Court #3

For Complete Schedule click HERE.

Stoddard County, Missouri - The 2015 SCAA All-Conference Baseball Awards have been released.

The 2015 SCAA Player of the Year is Devin Trammell of Bernie.  He recorded a 0.875 ERA while striking got 92 in 64 innings.  He hit .374 with 22 RBIs and two home runs.

Bell City baseball coach Justin Simpher was named the SCAA Coach of the Year.  Simpher coached the Cubs to a 25-3 season and its very first State Championship in the history of their high school.

Those named to the 2015 SCAA All-Conference team are Devin Trammell, Matt Vernon, and Brock Beacham of Bernie, Dawson Mayo of Advance, Nate Finney and Austin Hicks of Bell City, Noah Vandiver of Bloomfield, Chris Dunivan of Puxico, Landon Johnson and Garret Reynolds of Woodland.

2015 SCAA Honorable Mention went to Cole Nichols, Bobby Wright, Peyton Maddox of Bell City, Josh Shidler of Richland, Austin Beck of Bernie, Tim Hector of Bloomfield, and Austin Rodgers of Puxico.

All-Conference Awards are voted on by SCAA coaches.