CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- The Dexter Bearcats threw the ball well enough to remain within striking distance most of the way but couldn't generate enough offense Saturday afternoon.
Conner Oldsen put together a three-hit shutout on the hill to help propel fourth-seeded Kennett past No. 5 Dexter 5-0 in a MSHSAA Class 4 District 1 quarterfinal at Notre Dame High School.
"That's kind of been the story of our season," Dexter coach Brian Becker said. "We threw the ball well enough to compete. We just didn't swing the bats very well. Plus we didn't play very good defense. We had four errors today and didn't help our pitchers when we could."
Kennett (11-13) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when it recorded four of its 10 hits. Patrick Maddox and Ty'Reik Thomas both notched two-out RBI singles in the frame to account for the runs.
Luke Lockhert, who finished 2 for 3, drove home Kennett's other three runs. Lockhert had a two-out 2-RBI double in the bottom of the third and a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
"Luke Lockhert had a couple really big hits today," Kennett coach Aaron New said. "We spread some hits out here and there. Offensively, we had 10 hits, but I still think we have more in us."
All three of the Bearcats' hits were singles. Riley Mason hit a leadoff single in the second, Clay Mullins had a one-out single in the sixth frame and Landon Henson recorded a two-out single in the seventh.
The Bearcats (9-13) had their best scoring chance in the top of the third with runners at second and third and one out after Hunter Parrott drew a one-out walk and Trevor McDonald reached on an error. Oldsen escaped the jam when he got the next two hitters, Jason Jarrell and Mullins, to fly out.
"The kid does a great job of mixing it up and hitting his spots," Becker said of Oldsen, who struck out eight. "It doesn't matter how hard you throw. If you can throw strikes, hit spots and change speeds you will be a successful pitcher and that boy did a great job of that today."
Parrott pitched the first 2 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs, six hits, struck out one and walked three.
Spencer Owens pitched the final 3 2/3 innings for the Bearcats. He allowed one run, four hits, struck out six and walked one.
The Bearcats graduate Riley Mason, Ethan Martinez, Parrott and Jarrell.
"I appreciate my seniors," Becker said. "They put in a lot of hard work. They are great kids that will do well in whatever they do in life and I'm proud to have coached them."
Kennett (11-13) plays No. 1 seeded Sikeston (12-5) Monday at 4:30 p.m. in a district semifinal. Sikeston, which is ranked No. 6 in the latest Class 4 state poll, beat Kennett 8-4 in the only head to head meeting Apr. 12.
"We just need to figure out who we are going to pitch and play our game," New said. "We can't worry about Sikeston. They've got a really nice club, but if you throw it, pitch it, catch it, and hit it you have a chance to beat anybody."