Morrill, Glaus power Bulldogs past Indians

CHUCK WU ~ cwu@semissourian Notre Dame junior Lauren Reinagel delivers a pitch during the fourth inning Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

JACKSON — Alecia Glaus sometimes found it difficult to be the backup catcher while her close friend, pitcher Lauren Reinagel, posted a 28-1 record on the mound last fall.

She wanted to be behind the plate, in the middle of all the action with Reinagel, who she has caught since the two were in Kelso youth-league softball together.

Glaus earned the starting catcher job this year. And she has helped Reinagel to an 8-0 start after another Notre Dame win Wednesday.

Reinagel tossed a complete-game three-hitter, striking out four. Glaus went 1-for-1 two RBIs. And junior shortstop Jane Morrill, another first-year starter, blasted a two-run homer, her first round-tripper this season, as the Bulldogs beat the Indians 7-0.

"It's just really fun because I've been catching her since we've been really young, so it's fun that I get to do it this year and not have to watch," Glaus said about working with Reinagel. "Today she really worked well with the drop ball. She's really getting that to work good. Everything else is going good as normal.

"We're really good friends. It's just fun to see what we can do."

Notre Dame improved to 8-0, while Jackson dropped to 3-6.

CHUCK WU ~ cwu@semissourian.com Notre Dame junior Jane Morrill shows her frustration after flying out. [Click to enlarge]

Reinagel, a junior, has not allowed an earned run in her eight starts this season. She already has a perfect game and a no-hitter. She has surrendered four unearned runs.

Glaus caught Reinagel for the SEMO Magic this summer. The junior catcher replaced Lauren Bond, a 2008 graduate, who was known for her strong defense.

"She is very similar [to Bond]," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said. "Catching her [Reinagel] this summer and catching her since they've been little, you don't expect much of a drop off. Alecia does a good job. We weren't too concerned about that position coming into this year."

Reinagel said she is comfortable with Glaus behind the plate and that the transition from Bond to Glaus has been smooth.

Jackson pitcher Jessica Tuschhoff delivers a pitch during Wednesday's game. [Click to enlarge]

"I'm real familiar with what she [Glaus] does and she's real familiar with how I pitch," Reinagel said. "So we go good together."

Glaus, hitting No. 8 in the lineup, knocked in a run in the second inning with a squeeze play. It was part of a two-run rally that put Notre Dame ahead 2-0. The Bulldogs also were aided in that inning by two Jackson errors.

Glaus knocked in another run in the fourth inning on a squeeze play, which followed a double by Alexis Ralls and a single by Reinagel. It put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0.

"She executed," Graviett said of Glaus. "We ran squeeze plays with her the first two times up and she gets them down to score a run."

Graviett has used a designated hitter for Glaus this season, so he was pleased to see her succeed at the plate. He said the reason he has used a DH for her is because he has so many capable hitters on his bench that need time in the lineup.

Morrill's home run came in the fifth to put the Bulldogs ahead 6-0. Britney Schott doubled to right with one out. Morrill followed with her blast over the left-field fence.

"She was pitching inside today," Morrill said of Jackson hurler Jessica Tuschhoff. "She just threw it a little high where I like them."

Reinagel was aided by some strong defense, including double plays to end the sixth and seventh.

"[Reinagel] has a good, tall defense behind her," Jackson coach Amanda Forester said. "We hit a lot of balls in play. Not all of them were hard.

"Overall, I think we're still improving."

WP — Lauren Reinagel, 8-0. LP — Jessica Tuschhoff. HR — Jane Morrill (ND). 2B — Alexis Ralls (ND), Britney Schott (ND). Multiple hits — Notre Dame: Erika Reinagel 2-4, Schott 2-4; Jackson — Megan Dockins 2-3. Records — Notre Dame 8-0, Jackson 3-6.