BULLDOG DIGS UP GEM; ND HURLER STRIKES OUT 13 IN 7-0 VICTORY

Brian Obermann couldn't remember the last time he'd had such strong control.

"I seem to walk a few people every game," said Obermann with a laugh.

But there were no free passes from Obermann Monday afternoon as the Notre Dame High pitcher tossed an absolute gem in leading the red-hot Bulldogs to an impressive 7-0 win over visiting Clearwater.

Notre Dame improved to 17-4 as the Bulldogs won their sixth straight game. Clearwater, which lost to Notre Dame in last year's Class 2A quarterfinals, fell to 14-3 as the Tigers had a 14-game winning streak snapped.

Obermann made life miserable for the Tigers. The senior left-hander, who had his curveball dancing in the strong wind, struck out 13, did not issue a walk and allowed just four harmless singles in pitching all seven innings.

"I was real happy with no walks," said Obermann. "That was a goal of mine. I'd say this was one of my better games."

Obermann said he was a little concerned before the game because of the high winds that were blowing out. But those worries soon disappeared.

"I felt like the wind actually worked to my advantage," he said. "It helped out my curve."

Said Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett of Obermann, "This was definitely his best performance of the year. He threw a great game."

And the Bulldogs beat a quality hurler. Clearwater's hard-throwing junior right-hander Jamie McAlister is, like Obermann, regarded as one of Southeast Missouri's top pitchers.

McAlister was impressive before Notre Dame finally began to get to him in the fourth inning. The Bulldogs were eventually able to coast, but McAlister opened some eyes as he fanned 10.

"He really impressed me," said Graviett of the Tigers' hurler. "He's one of the best pitchers we've seen."

The Bulldogs wound up with nine hits off McAlister, getting two each from Timmy Wencewicz, Tommy Wencewicz and Matt Bollinger. The Wencewicz brothers both drove in two runs while Bollinger and Wes Steele also had RBIs.

"After the first time in the lineup, I think we did a good job," Graviett said. "We hit the ball up and down the lineup."

For three innings, it looked like runs would be at a real premium with the way both Obermann and McAlister were throwing. Heading into the fourth, Obermann had seven strikeouts while McAlister had fanned six.

But the Bulldogs finally broke through in the fourth as they scored three times on three hits and an error. With one out, Josh Eftink was hit by a pitch and Steele singled. A Tommy Wencewicz double scored Eftink and Steele came home on the same play via a wild throw. Bollinger later plated Wencewicz with a two-out single.

Notre Dame got two more runs in the fifth, on an RBI single by Tommy Wencewicz and a sacrifice fly by Steele. The Bulldogs closed out the scoring in the sixth on a two-run single by Timmy Wencewicz.

"We've been playing well lately and it's nice to get a big win against a quality team," Graviett said.

Added Obermann, "Clearwater is a good team and their pitcher threw well. We've been playing well lately and we just want to keep it up heading into districts (next week)."

Notre Dame will be right back in action today as the Bulldogs host arch-rival Cape Central in a 4 p.m. first pitch.