BULLDOGS BLOW BY INDIANS

When the black, translucent plastic lining adheres to Notre Dame's outfield fence as it did Tuesday, Bulldog fans pay special attention when power hitter Josh Eftink steps in the box.

But Eftink needed neither the brisk wind nor one of his patented towering shots to drive in runs against St. Vincent.

Ground balls and line drives served Eftink's purpose as he drove in five runs and scored four times to lead Notre Dame (19-3) to a 12-2, six-inning win over the Indians (7-8).

"I've been hitting a lot of balls off the top of the bat and popping it up," said Eftink, who has hit eight home runs and knocked in 36 RBIs this season. "I've been trying to hit line drives here recently."

Eftink singled home a run, stole a base and scored in the first; reached on an RBI fielder's choice and scored in the second; singled home a run, stole another base and scored in the fourth; and plated two on a double and later scored in the fifth.

Eftink has knocked in 10 runs in his last two games.

"Josh had a great day," said Notre Dame coach Chris Neff. "We're starting to hit the ball well again."

Although the stocky shortstop had a hand in nine of Notre Dame's 12 runs, it was by no means a one-man show. Notre Dame's first two hitters, Tommy Wencewicz and Nathan Essner, reached base in seven of their nine plate appearances to set the stage for Eftink and the heart of the Bulldog lineup.

"When those two (Wencewicz and Essner) get on base, it starts everything," Neff said. "They put it in play and got on base."

Notre Dame jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first, added three more in the second, two in the fourth for an 8-0 lead. After St. Vincent scored twice in the fifth, the Bulldogs added three runs in the fifth and the game-ending run in the sixth.

The game ended when Wencewicz hit a fly ball over the head of shallow-playing center fielder Derek Kutz to score Brian Obermann. Obermann tripled thanks to a 10-foot hop over the head of left fielder Pat Brown to start the bottom of the sixth.

In all, Notre Dame pounded out 11 hits.

Obermann and Scott Reinagel each provided two hits and designated hitter Matt Bollinger had a hit and three RBIs for Notre Dame.

St. Vincent threatened to score in all but two innings, but failed to take advantage of opportunities. The Indians were also the victim of some close calls on the base paths.

"We couldn't get the key hit when we needed to," said St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy. "We got down early, but we battled every inning. We didn't get some breaks go our way, but that's part of the game."

The Indians had six hits, two by starting freshman pitcher Tyler Wengert and two by Gabe Hotop.

Tyler Wengert was roughed up in the early going, lasting just 1 1/3 innings after giving up six runs, five hits and five walks.

Trent Sauer pitched in relief and allowed six runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out one.

Obermann went the distance, giving up two unearned runs. He walked one and struck out four.