Little League Tournament Opens in Dexter with Home Team Victory

Behind 21 hits, including two fence-clearing home runs, Dexter’s 12-year-old and under Little League baseball All-Star team defeated Jackson West County All-Stars 16-6 in a game shortened after five innings because of the mercy rule Sunday at Peace Lutheran Church’s Tyler Steffey Field.

After spotting Jackson West County a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Dexter responded in its bottom half of the frame scoring four runs on five hits, including Seth Jaimez’s three-run home run over the left-field fence.

Shamus McCurren and Joey Hiser began Dexter’s offensive attack with back-to-back singles. After a line drive out by No. 3 batter Grant Katcher, cleanup hitter Aaron Weber connected for an RBI single, scoring McCurren to tie the contest 1-1. With two outs, Jaimez blasted a two-strike fastball over the outfield fence for a three-run dinger and a 4-1 Dexter lead.

In the top of the second inning, Jaimez, a hard-throwing right-hander, struck out Jackson West County No. 9 hitter Tyler Legrow for the final out, keeping the locals on top 4-1.

In the bottom of the second inning, Dexter broke the game open, batting around in the lineup, plating five runs on six hits. Alex Snow led the offensive onslaught with a single. After lead-off batter McCurren drew a walk, Hiser ripped an RBI double up the alley, scoring Snow. Katcher followed with an RBI double, while Weber connected for a two-run RBI double, increasing Dexter’s advantage to 8-1.

Michael Bradshaw, Dexter’s No. 5 hitter, brought home Weber with an RBI single, giving the locals a 9-1 margin heading into the third inning.

Jaimez continued his mastery on the mound, striking out two of the four batters he faced and shutting out Jackson West County for the second consecutive inning. In the bottom of the third frame, Hiser clubbed a solo home run over the center- field fence for a 10-1 Dexter lead.

Jackson West County refused to quit, however, as it scored four runs in the fourth inning off McCurren and Weber, both of whom had come in to replace Jaimez, who pitched the game’s first three frames. In the fifth inning, Jackson West County added one run, trimming Dexter’s lead to 10-6.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Dexter put the game away, scoring six runs on six hits and batting around in the lineup for the second time in the contest. Snow began the inning with a single. After a McCurren walk, Hiser singled to load the bases. Katcher promptly laced an RBI single up the middle, bringing home Snow for an 11-6 Dexter advantage.

With the bases still loaded, Weber stroked a two-run RBI single plating McCurren and Hiser, giving Dexter a 13-6 margin. Jaimez added an RBI single scoring Katcher, while Tony Seidl had an RBI single bringing around Weber for a 16-6 Dexter lead. Despite having only one out, the game was ended because of the 10-run mercy rule, giving Dexter the hard-earned victory.

Hiser finished 4-for-4 with a double, solo home run and two RBIs to pace Dexter’s attack. Weber was 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs, while Jaimez was 3-for-4 with a three-run home run and four RBIs. Katcher was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, and Snow was 2-for-2 for Dexter.

From the mound, starting pitcher Jaimez went three innings, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts for Dexter.

Tyler Steffey Little League Field is host to Michigan’s District 3 Little League 12-year-old and under baseball tournament this week. The weeklong, eight-team District 3 event includes Jackson North All-Stars, Jackson Northwest All-Stars, Jackson Southwest All-Stars, Jackson West County All-Stars, Lincoln All-Stars, Ypsilanti American All-Stars, Ypsilanti National All-Stars and Dexter All-Stars.

Road to the World Series

The ultimate goal for the Dexter Little League All-Star team is reaching the 64th Little League World Series from Aug. 18-28 in Williamsport, PA. To reach Williamsport, Dexter must win its district, then advance to the state tournament and capture Michigan’s Little League crown.

After winning a state title, the local squad would then compete in the Great Lakes Regional against state champions from Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin Aug. 4-13 in Indianapolis.

If successful in the Great Lakes Regional, Dexter would then travel to Williamsport to participate in the Little League World Series against champions from the Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, Southeast, Midwest, New England, West and Southwest regions, along with title-winning squads from Canada, Mexico, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Japan and the Caribbean.

Last year, an All-Star team from Tokyo defeated the U.S. team from Waipo, HA, 4-1 to win the Little League World Series title.