The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dexter unbeaten at Clinton Invitational
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: April 26, 2007
Dexter baseball bested all comers last Saturday finishing 3-0 overall at the Clinton Invitational.
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In their first game, the Dreadnaughts (5-3-1) defeated Three Rivers 7-0.
Dexter senior pitcher Drew Klinkman baffled the Wildcat batters, going the distance scattering five hits, striking out eight and walking two for the victory.
The Dreadnaughts broke the contest open scoring three runs in the fourth inning. Dexter put the game away with single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
At the plate, senior Branden Paulun led the Dreads finishing 2-for-3, including a double and two RBIs. Senior Brent Opland ended up 1-for-3 with one RBI, while senior Carl Burhop had a three-run double for Dexter.
In their second game of the tournament, the Dreadnaughts beat Clinton 6-2.
Junior pitcher Joe Berklich recorded the win for Dexter allowing five hits.
Brent Opland led the offensive attack finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. Junior shortstop Chris Marsh was 2-for-4, while Berklich was 2-for-4 with a double.
The Dreads scored two runs in the fourth inning followed by four runs in the fifth inning to take control of the contest.
In its third game of the day, Dexter exploded for a 15-0 mercy-rule victory over Ann Arbor Greenhills.
"We put our hitting shoes on," said Dexter coach Al Snider.
Wearing the largest shoes against the Gryphons was senior Johnny Benjamin who finished 3-for-3 with eight RBIs including a grand slam home run and a three-run home run.
Marsh ended up 3-for-3 with one RBI, while senior Bryan Staton, senior Matt Mabry and senior Jake Burgess each had a double for the Dreadnaughts.
Mabry pitched the first two innings, while Burgess closed out the win tossing the third inning.
Snider said last Saturday's tournament was helpful in many different ways for his club.
"Everybody played which is good," he said. "From a coach's standpoint that was nice. We were able to gain confidence, as well. We struggled to some degree hitting-wise, but we took advantage of base hits to scoring runs."
Last Thursday, host Dexter split a doubleheader with Ann Arbor Pioneer winning 3-2 and losing 10-4.
In the opener, the Dreadnaughts topped the Pioneers in dramatic fashion scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Trailing 2-1, Brent Opland led off the inning with a single. After stealing second base, Opland advanced to third base on Benjamin's single. Burhop then connected for a RBI single tying the game at 2-2. With Benjamin racing home from third base, Mabry executed a perfect squeeze play bunt for the game-winning hit.
In the fourth inning, Dexter scored its first run of the contest as Benjamin stroked a RBI single plating Berklich who had singled earlier in the frame.
Ann Arbor scored single runs in the fourth and seventh innings.
"That was a huge win for us," Snider said. "We were down all game."
Paulun was a workhorse for the Dreadnaughts throwing all seven innings allowing four hits for the win.
In the nightcap, Pioneer scored six runs in the seventh inning breaking open a close game.
"They were able to hit the ball where we weren't," Snider said. "They were able to make contact and get base hits."
Benjamin absorbed the loss from the hill for Dexter throwing six and one-third innings.
"He pitched well, but he got tired," Snider said.
Offensively, Marsh paced the Dreads going 2-for-3 with a double.
On April 17, host Dexter split a doubleheader with Milan losing 5-4 in eight innings in the opener and winning 4-0 in Game 2.
"We had a couple of defensive letdowns which led to three unearned runs," Snider said of the Game 1 loss. "That ultimately cost us the game."
Marsh led the Dreadnaught attack finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and two stolen bases. Paulun was 1-for-4 with a triple, while Klinkman had a sacrifice fly.
In Game 2, junior Alex Krull was masterful from the mound for Dexter earning the shutout with eight strikeouts.
The Dreadnaughts put the game away with three runs in the third inning. The contest was eventually called short because of darkness.
At the plate, Berklich finished 2-for-2, while Brent Opland and Benjamin each doubled for Dexter.
The Dreadnaughts next travel to Southeastern Conference White Division rival Ypsilanti Lincoln Thursday at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, Dexter hosts Ypsilanti at 11 a.m.
On Monday, the Dreadnaughts visit Temperance Bedford for a contest at 4 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dexter travels to Pinckney for a match-up at 4 p.m.
Freshman Baseball
Dexter's freshman baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Ann Arbor Pioneer 13-8, 7-2 last Friday.
In the opener, Nathan Opland absorbed the loss from the mound, throwing three innings, fanning four and allowing only two earned runs.
With the stick, Alex McMurray led the way for the Dreadnaughts finishing 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and one runs scored. Nathan Dunham ended up 2-for-3 with one triple, two RBIs and one runs scored, while Danny Flowers was 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored.
In Game 2, Henry Haley paced Dexter going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, while Flowers was 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
On April 17, the Dreadnaughts split a doubleheader with Milan winning the opener 5-3 and losing the nightcap 9-8.
In the first game, McMurray earned the win from the hill throwing three innings with seven strikeouts and two earned runs.
Haley led the offensive attack going 1-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and one run scored. Opland was 1-for-1 with two RBIs, while McMurray was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
In the second contest, Nick Gonet sparked Dexter offensively finishing 1-for-2 with two RBIs and one run scored.
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