Bulldogs hammer Central

Notre Dame captured the season-opening game for both teams 10-0 in five innings.

By Jeremy Joffray

Southeast Missourian

After two trips to Perryville without playing an inning because of rain, Central's softball team finally hit the field Wednesday at home against Notre Dame.

With two days wasted, the Tigers fell 10-0 to the Bulldogs in a game that was stopped after five innings by the mercy run rule.

"We made the trip to Perryville on Monday and came back," Central coach Amy Blattel said. "We made the trip yesterday, and the kids were so focused. That's two days of disrupted practice."

Notre Dame had to wait a day for its season opener with Tuesday's matchup against St. Vincent rained out. Notre Dame senior Alana Weissmueller ignited the Bulldogs with a double, and Notre Dame continued to build from there.

"We didn't look so good in warmups, but we got focused as the game got going," Weissmueller said.

Fellow senior Whitney Ostendorf put Notre Dame on the board in the first with an RBI double to drive in Weissmueller. A Central error helped Notre Dame score two more in the inning for a 3-0 lead.

Weissmueller added two more doubles, driving in a pair of runs, and Kristain Burger had a three-run double in the fourth and scored the 10th run. Notre Dame had seven hits in all.

"Offensively, we're going to go as our seniors go," Bulldogs coach Jeff Graviett said.

For Central, the problem was putting runners on. Central had three baserunners in the game with two hits and a walk. The Tigers had only one runner in scoring position.

Blattel said while she would like to see her team swing the bats better she was not disappointed with her team's effort.

"We'll be fine. This is the best attitude I've ever seen out of a team," she said. "They were up when we were down. You can't ask for much more."

Beth Schnurbusch pitched all five innings for the win.

Kelsy Holloway took the loss in her first varsity start.

Notre Dame is back in action Friday at home against Perryville, while Central hosts Ursuline Academy on Saturday.

Notre Dame 10, Central 0, five innings

Notre Dame 311 50 -- 10 7 0

Central 000 00-- 0 2 3

WP -- Beth Schnurbusch, 1-0. LP -- Kelsy Holloway, 0-1. 2B -- Alana Weissmueller (N) 3, Whitney Ostendorf (N), Kristain Burger (N), Bailey Reutzel (N), Erica Schabbing (C). Multiple hits -- Notre Dame, Weissmueller 3-4. Records -- Notre Dame 1-0, Central 0-1.