DEXTER -- Dexter baseball coach Brian Becker hopes the return of Clay Mullins and Spencer Owens and the addition of a new hitting coach will mean more wins for the Bearcats this season.
The Bearcats open the season Saturday against Malden at 10 a.m. and Clearwater at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at East City Park.
Infielder/outfielder Mullins and first baseman Owens are the top players returning from a team that went 9-12 last season.
"Both of them had really good years," Becker said. "Being their senior years, I expect both to carry the load at the plate for us, and hopefully, we'll have some guys who had down years last year pick it up this year and be contributors for us."
The Bearcats added Drew Pixley to the coaching staff.
"We've struggled the last couple of years at the plate," Becker said. "He's a former player of the mine. He's done a great job with our batters. I look for us to have a better year at the plate this year than what we've had in recent years."
Pixley spent the past four years as an instructor/coach at Elite Baseball, LLC, in Philadelphia before returning home for this school year.
"He's in there everyday working with the kids, working on their hitting and other aspects of the game," Becker said. "He's able to fine-tune things. He can pick up on little things. ... Drew's able to pull them aside and get more technical with stuff. ... I think they're really enjoying working with them."
Becker likes what he's seen from his hitters so far.
"I can see a big difference as far as the power at which the ball reaches the outfield," Becker said. "When we first started out, we were hitting little dinkers out there. Now, they're starting to drive the ball a little better and starting to buy into his philosophy. I'm looking forward to seeing a big change at the plate this year."
The Bearcats will have to wait for Mulllins, who is recovering from an ankle injury suffered during basketball season. Becker said that Mullins' boot came off last Thursday and hopes to have him back in a week or two.
Third baseman Cordell Holt and outfielders Chris Rinehart, Landon Henson and Trenton Willis also return from last season.
Henson, Holt, Mullins, Owens and Rinehart are seniors.
"I'm looking for senior leadership this year, and I think those guys will provide it for us," Becker said.
The team's biggest loss is catcher Jason Jarrell. Becker said that three players -- Rinehart, Ethan Kincy and Mason Keena -- are working out behind the plate.
"It's been a good battle so far," Becker said. "It'll be interesting to see who wins out in the end."
Owens and Mullins will lead the pitching staff.
"Rinehart had a decent year on the mound last year," Becker said. "Some younger guys like Garrett Henson and Hayden Hillis could see some mound time this year as sophomores. Hayden threw a little bit last year and did a good job."
Becker believes the Bearcats will be better defensively this season.
"The big key is who's going to be behind the plate," Becker said. "Whoever that is is going to be the key because if you're strong up the middle, you've got a pretty good chance to win. We're going to have to find someone who can keep the balls off the backstop and throw runners out. That's going to be a big key to our team."