BULLDOGS HOLD ON FOR 10-9 WIN OVER RAMS

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Scott City's last-inning comeback attempt fell short as it stranded the bases loaded in a 10-9 loss to Notre Dame at the Scott City Ballfield on Tuesday.

From an artistic standpoint, the game fell short of highlight reel material.

Errors, walks, baserunning miscues, wild pitches, and passed balls all reared their ugly heads throughout the contest.

Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said, "We struggled throwing strikes; we didn't make plays in the field. They just outplayed us. We didn't deserve to win today."

The teams combined for 15 walks and eight errors.

But, despite the lack of execution, the game had its share of excitement. It went to the wire with Scott City having a chance to break through for its first win over the Bulldogs (7-4) since '97.

Trailing 10-7 in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams (1-7) loaded the bases on three consecutive walks issued by Notre Dame reliever Timmy Wencewicz.

Notre Dame's top starter Scott Eftink came out of the bullpen to relieve Wencewicz and was greeted by Charlie Lindberg's single down the third base line, scoring Michael O'Brien and Jerod Schenimann.

Eftink retired the next two hitters as Ram runners advanced to second and third. An intentional walk to Ben Sample loaded the bases, bringing Trenton Estes, who already had two hits, to the plate. But Estes grounded to shortstop John O'Rourke for the force at second to end the Scott City threat.

"Games like that hurt," said Scott City coach Mike Umfleet.

After falling behind 6-0, the Rams picked up five runs in the bottom of the third with the help of three hits and two costly Notre Dame errors. They added a single run in the fourth to knot the score at 6-6.

In the fifth, two Scott City errors mingled with three Bulldog hits allowed Notre Dame to put four more on the board and build a 10-6 lead.

The Rams got one back in the fifth to set up the last inning comeback effort.

Notre Dame starter Scott Wittenborn picked up the win and led the 10-hit offense with three singles. Andrew Depeder, Todd Friend and Kyle Dively collected two hits apiece.

Scott City totaled 10 hits with Lindberg, Estes and Marcus Klund each getting two hits.