New Madrid SB continues hot stretch with dramatic W over Dexter

New Madrid County Central High School sophomore pitcher Joebeth Riley throws a pitch to Dexter High School senior hitter Amelia Jenkins on Monday at East Park in Dexter.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

DEXTER – After winning just six of 26 varsity softball games through parts of three seasons, New Madrid County Central now seemingly can’t lose.

The Eagles held off a furious rally by Dexter on Monday at East Park in Dexter to win 6-5, which was the program’s fifth consecutive victory.

“It’s good for us to get our confidence (up) in ball games like this,” second-year New Madrid County Central coach Matt Hartman said following the win. “We knew (Dexter senior pitcher Amelia Jenkins) was going to be super tough today.”

Jenkins almost always is “super tough,” and on Monday, her teammates provided almost enough offense to grab a second consecutive victory after Dexter topped Puxico recently 10-0.

The Bearcats (1-6) trailed 6-3 entering their final at-bat when Jenkins drew a one-out walk, which was followed by junior Alexis Sisk getting hit by Eagle sophomore pitcher Joebeth Riley.

Dexter freshman Chloe Warren successfully sacrificed Jenkins and Sisk up a base, which was followed by junior Isabella Pittman doubling Jenkins and Sisk home to pull within 6-5.

“Isabella just hits the ball well,” first-year Dexter coach Christina Jenkins said. “She has really learned to hit the ball well this year, and that is what we need from her.”

Dexter junior Payton Short seemingly hit a game-tying single, but Pittman was ruled as interfering with New Madrid County Central sophomore shortstop Laura Johnson on the play, which was the third and final out.

“We did a lot of great things today,” Christina Jenkins said.

The Bearcats totaled eight hits, which was twice as many as they had connected for in any other game this season.

Amelia Jenkins had a couple of those connections to go with two runs, two walks, and an RBI while Sisk (two hits, one run, one RBI), Pittman (two hits, two RBI, one walk), Short (one hit), sophomore Elizabeth Norris (one hit, one RBI), and sophomore Ava Schaefer (one run, one walk) also contributed.

Jenkins had a couple of doubles while Sisk and Pittman also had two-bag hits.

Dexter freshman Chelsey Nation added a stolen base.

Amelia Jenkins threw seven innings and allowed five hits, just one earned run, walked two, and struck out 11 Eagle hitters.

The Bearcat defense struggled, as it committed five errors.

New Madrid County Central (7-3), which has scored a combined 83 runs over its five-game winning streak, got a hit and two runs from Johnson while freshman Ella Courtois (one run, two walks), freshman Aubrey Aycock (one hit, one run), Riley (one triple, one run, one RBI), sophomore Mylee Cook (one double, one run), and junior Destiny Hughes (one hit) were also productive.

Courtois stole three bases while Johnson and Riley nabbed a couple each.

“We tried to put pressure on (Jenkins) with some ‘small ball,’” Hartman explained. “We tried to get some of our kids some confidence, and we barreled her up a couple of times.”

Riley was solid on the mound, as she threw a complete game and gave up seven hits, five earned runs, walked four, and struck out nine.

“Joebeth is just a competitor,” Hartman said. “All of the Riley’s at New Madrid have been competitors, and she is continuing in that mold.”

The Eagles will visit East Prairie (5-4) today at 4:30 p.m.

Dexter will visit Charleston (1-6) today at 4:30 p.m.