Big goal on their plate

Notre Dame softball has climbed to uncharted heights each of the past two seasons.

Now all that is left is to win a state championship.

The Bulldogs lost just one senior from a squad that finished as the runner-up in Class 3 last season, when Notre Dame fell just short of its first state softball championship.

Notre Dame finished with a school-record 29 wins and just three losses.

"We talk about steps every year. There aren't any more places to go," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said.

The Bulldogs begin their quest Wednesday at Central.

Most area softball teams will start today.

Notre Dame is led by all-state senior Kristain Burger, a .447 hitter last season. Eden Ellison and catcher Bailey Reutzel are the only starters not returning.

"Needless to say we have high expectations, but we've been stressing to play one game at a time and don't look too far ahead," Graviett said. "I told every starter I expect more out of them than what they put up last year. That's asking quite a bit."

Paris Burger and Erika Reinagel excelled as freshmen at the top of the order last season, each hitting at least .400. Reinagel was all-state as a freshman with a .610 on-base percentage and a .429 batting average.

"You had two freshmen leading the offense," Graviett said, "and they're better than last year, which is scary to say."

Burger provided the power in the lineup, mashing 15 doubles, five home runs and 41 RBIs -- all school records. Heather Menz added 30 RBIs, and Cortney Ostendorf finished with 26 RBIs.

All-state pitcher Beth Schnurbusch finished with a 20-1 record, her only loss coming in the state championship game. Schnurbusch struck out 104 in 142 innings with an ERA of 1.13. Miranda Schlosser had a 0.54 ERA with a 7-1 record.

"There's no doubt how good they swing. All the way down to the freshmen we can swing the bat," Graviett said. "And our pitching is as deep as it's ever been. It's just filling some holes."

The one thing the team lacked last year was senior leadership, which is plentiful this time around. Notre Dame will likely have five seniors in the starting lineup and six on the roster.

"It's a great coaching opportunity when you have that leadership," Graviett said. "It takes pressure off you. The girls will regulate themselves. We all have the same goals."

Notre Dame will add a new wrinkle to its schedule with a few night games at home. The Bulldogs played a game under the lights last year at their own tournament. Chaffee will also play a game under the lights.

"We're trying to ease into it with taking advantage of the lights," Graviett said. "Try something, hopefully a new trend. We tried it last year at the tournament, and it was a great atmosphere."

District winners

Kelly could not defend its 2004 Class 2 state title, falling last year in the sectional round after replacing about two-thirds of the lineup from the state title team.

Kelly managed a 19-11 record with only three seniors on its roster. The Hawks should be ready to make a deep playoff run once again this season.

"I think we're looking pretty good," Kelly coach Rhonda Ratledge said. "You never can tell until you get a couple of games under your belt and face some of the better teams."

Also bringing home a district crown last year was fall softball newcomer Chaffee. The Red Devils won their first district crown in just their second season of fall softball, but this year they will move into Class 2 and into the same district as Kelly.

Chaffee lost four starters from a team which fell 3-2 to Miller in eight innings in the sectional last year.

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HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Central

Coach: Amy Blattel

* Last year: 8-16

* Returning starters: Amanda Nichols, sophomore, pitcher; Kelsy Holloway, senior, pitcher; Lindsay Greene, senior, shortstop; Christina Sexton, senior, infielder; Paige Rothenberger, senior, infielder; Courtney Schuessler, senior, outfielder; Sirena Watkins, junior, pitcher/infielder.

* Key newcomers: Jenna Matthews, junior, catcher; Casey Popp, junior, utility; Morgan Dambach, senior, outfielder; Haley Kelley, junior, outfielder.

* Coach's outlook: "To move beyond districts is always a goal our team has and to always be better than we were the day before. The girls are working hard and with the experience coming back in key positions the expectations have increased."

Chaffee

Coach: Debbie Lewis

* Last year: 11-7, Class 1 district champion

* Returning starters: Rachel Hendrix, senior, shortstop/center fielder; Courtney Walter, senior, pitcher/third baseman; Chelsey Walter, senior, right fielder; Sarah Benton, junior, pitcher; Veronica Bennett, junior, infielder/outfielder; Madelyn Kiefer, sophomore, first base

* Other top returning players: Tracy Martin, sophomore, infielder/outfielder; Shelby Ancell, sophomore, catcher; Heather Thomason, sophomore, center fielder; Taylor Laxton, sophomore, outfielder.

* Key newcomers: Taylor Kirchdoerfer, freshman, second baseman/outfielder; Candice Snider, freshman, third baseman/outfielder; Amber Hawkins, freshman, catcher/outfielder; Hillary Eichorn, freshman, outfielder.

* Coach's outlook: "We lost four starting seniors last year who were also some of our strongest hitters. All of the girls had been starters since they were freshmen, so as a team we will have to do a lot of reconstructive work. However, we have a lot of talent from our returning players and newcomers, and I feel that we should have another solid season."

Delta

Coach: Laura Brown

* Last year: 6-12

* Returning starters: Shea Smith, senior; Kaci Menz, senior; Kayla Seabaugh, senior; Sara Blattel, junior; Amanda Drew, junior; Amberly Stout, junior; Jodi Menz, sophomore; Amanda Seabaugh, sophomore.

* Key newcomers: Kendra Burnett, freshman; Taylor Smith, freshman.

* Coach's outlook: "We're up in numbers with opportunity to move players around. More pitchers this year. We're not heavily relying on one single pitcher to carry us through a season. We hope to have a good season and see improvements in each player."

Jackson

Coach: Amanda Forester

* Last year: 7-18

* Returning starters: Darla Mangles, senior, pitcher; Chelsea McDowell, senior, first baseman; Cheryl Lichtenegger, senior, right fielder; Maggie Baugh, junior, center fielder; Hana Bolen, junior, shortstop; Kelci Keith, junior, left fielder; Roxanna Miller, junior, third baseman; Amanda Pitts, junior, second baseman; Jessica Pitts, junior, catcher.

* Key newcomers: Sheila Wade, junior, pitcher; Alisha Craft, junior, outfielder/third baseman; Brittany Feeney, junior, outfielder/third baseman; Alicia Holifield, catcher/outfielder, junior; Brook Welker, junior, second baseman/outfielder; Lyndsay McNeely, junior, outfielder; Mollie Bowman, junior, outfielder.

* Coach's outlook: "The girls have really come out this season with good attitudes and a hard work ethic. They are willing and eager to learn new things and go above and beyond all my expectations. I believe one of our strengths as a team is having so many returnees with varsity experience. Our goal this year is to take the district title, and with the hard work I am getting in practice, this goal is reachable."

Kelly

Coach: Rhonda Ratledge

* Last year: 20-10, Class 2 district champion

* Returning starters: Kalie Hughes, senior, pitcher; Brittany Ponder, senior, third baseman; Summer Procter, senior, catcher; Kaitlin Vetter, senior, outfielder; Ashley Vetter, senior, outfielder; Sarah Ruff, junior, outfielder; Casey Kern, sophomore, pitcher; Ashley Flayhardy, sophomore, outfielder; Katee Moore, sophomore, shortstop; Heather Beggs, sophomore, pitcher; Jessica Riley, sophomore, pitcher.

* Key newcomers: London Backfish, freshman, second baseman.

* Coach's outlook: "I feel like we have a good shot to get in there with just about anyone."

Notre Dame

Coach: Jeff Graviett

* Last year: 29-3, Class 3 state runner-up.

* Returning starters: Kristain Burger, senior, first baseman (.447 avg., 15 doubles, 5 home runs, 41 RBIs); Beth Schnurbusch, senior, pitcher (20-1 W-L, 104 strikeouts, 1.13 ERA, 142 innings); Erika Reinagel, sophomore, center fielder (.429 avg., 17 stolen bases); Paris Burger, sophomore, left fielder (.400, 24 stolen bases); Cortney Ostendorf, senior, shortstop (.350 avg., 26 RBIs); Miranda Schlosser, senior, pitcher/second baseman (19 RBIs, 0.54 ERA); Allison Peters, junior, third baseman (.306 avg., 15 RBIs); Heather Menz, junior, right fielder/second baseman (.347 avg., 30 RBIs).

* Key newcomers: Alexis Ralls, sophomore, designated hitter; Britney Schott, sophomore, designated hitter; LIndsey Ostendorf, senior, catcher; Hannah Glueck, senior, right fielder.

* Coach's outlook: "Senior group that has been to back-to-back final fours."

Perryville

Coach: Denny Glueck

* Last year: 6-16

* Returning starters: Alyssa Bauwens, junior (.400 avg., 7 doubles, 18 RBIs)

* Other top returning players: Lindsey Schumer, senior, pitcher (2.04 ERA)

* Coach's outlook: "We lost nine seniors last year, so we will be real young. We may start two to four freshmen on varsity this year."

St. Vincent

Coach: Dustin Wengert

* Last year: 4-17

* Returning starters: Kelly Manche, junior, shortstop/catcher; Jess Welker, senior, catcher/shortstop; Elizabeth Rozier, junior, center fielder; Megan Wengert, senior, third baseman; Miranda Holmes, senior, first baseman/pitcher

* Other top returning players: Kristen Wengert, junior, pitcher/catcher; Kadaysha Clements, senior, second baseman; Hannah Schremp, senior, first baseman/outfielder

* Key newcomers: Janel Koenig, sophomore, outfielder; Rylee Triller, freshman, infielder.

* Coach's outlook: "I look to be competitive. The girls have been excited and willing to learn since I took over. Our goal is to play .500 ball and maybe make a run toward a district title."