Charleston's Paul Johnson dives back to first on a pickoff play as Dexter first baseman Eric Windham prepares to make the tag. Looking on is Dexter pitcher Matt Banken. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

DEXTER -- The Dexter Bearcats recorded their third consecutive victory on Tuesday afternoon as they defeated the visiting Charleston Bluejays by a final score of 6-4.

Charleston jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning as Dexter pitcher Matt Banken, who was on a limited pitch count, handed out four free passes in the inning that eventually developed into two runs.

Dexter's Matt Banken throws a pitch in the first inning Tuesday afternoon at Dexter's East City Park. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

Banken lasted 1 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits and four walks.

Dexter answered with two runs in the bottom of the third as No. 9 hitter Jarrett Laird singled to begin the inning. Following a line-drive to the pitcher by Ben Mills, Mason Noe, Caleb Miller and Banken then recorded three consecutive singles to put runners aboard for the Bearcats. Eric Windham chipped in with a sacrifice to put the second runner across for Dexter, knotting the game at 2-2.

Garrett McKuin came into the game in relief of Banken, and was solid for the next 2 2-3 innings, giving up just one run on one hit and six walks. Despite the free passes by McKuin, the Bluejays managed just one run off of the walks.

The Bearcats added one in the fourth and one more in the fifth to go up 4-3 after five, and in the sixth they added the two runs that provided the final blow. Noe singled to right field with two outs to record his second RBI of the game.

Jamie Barber was handed the loss for Charleston, going six innings, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits, no walks and one hit batter.

"Barber threw the ball real well," said Charleston head coach Michael Minner of his pitcher's performance. "We just had some miscues in some crucial situations. When you're playing a good ball club like Dexter, if you make a mistake or two it will beat you--and it did today."

At the plate, the Bluejays' three hits came from Paul Johnson, Colin Gilooly and Chase McClendon. All three hits were singles.

Zach Rowland, Nick Johnson, Garrison Eastman and Ethan Browning scored one run apiece in the loss.

"I feel like we're ready to compete and I feel like we should compete with the teams we play," Minner went on to say. "I feel like we can be a good ball club, I really do feel like that. Good ball clubs come up in crucial situations and you find out who really wants to win. Today, I felt like Dexter wanted to win more than us."

McKuin was awarded the win and teammate Tyler Scott was awarded the save. Scott threw the final 2 2/3 innings, giving up one run on no hits and three walks. Scott struck out three in the save.

"Banken was on a pitch limit," said Dexter head coach Brian Becker of his starter who missed last season due to an arm injury. "It was good to see him out there throwing some pitches in a Bearcat uniform. He's just a good ballplayer.

"The other guys, this was the first time they've really got to pitch on our mound since the first game," he went on to say. "Like I told them, if you can throw one strike on our mound, then you can throw 40 strikes off our mound. You've just got to get out there, find your rhythm and bear down."

At the dish, Noe, Miller, Banken and Scott each recorded two hits apiece. Noe had two RBI and Banken had one.

"As far as the hitters go, those runs we got there in the sixth inning were obviously huge to give us a little insurance," Becker said. "And, I was very, very happy to see David (Hessling) catch that last ball there, because you know anything can happen."

Charleston threatened with the bases loaded in the top of the seventh but Hessling ended the threat on a running catch in shallow center field.