'DOGS TURN LACKLUSTER LOSS INTO WILD WIN

JACKSON -- The Notre Dame Bulldogs were about to get their rear ends chewed.

Instead, they got them in gear.

Trailing 7-3 going into the seventh inning, Notre Dame -- ranked No. 1 in Class 2A -- scored five runs to take the lead and eventually beat the Jackson Indians 13-8 in a wild, 10-inning game Friday.

"I had my post-game chewing out speech ready," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett. "We didn't start playing until the seventh inning."

On a Notre Dame team which features seven experienced and talented senior starters, it was a junior and a sophomore who came up huge in the clutch.

Junior right fielder Todd Friend came up with the biggest hit of the game when he belted a two-run triple over the center fielder's head in the seventh which gave the Bulldogs (2-0) an 8-7 lead. Friend, who also made a brilliant catch in right that likely saved a run in the seventh, went 3-for-5 with a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Sophomore left fielder Timmy Wencewicz, the leadoff hitter, also had a big game, going 4-for-7 with four RBIs and two runs scored. He was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

Wencewicz drove in two runs and Friend drove in one in the Bulldogs' five-run 10th inning.

"It (must have been) the batting practice at lunch," said a grinning Wencewicz. "Playing junior legion last summer really helped me prepare for varsity baseball and I'm having a lot of fun with it too."

After Notre Dame took the lead in the top of the seventh, Jackson (0-1) responded with a run to force extra innings. Lucas McCulley, who went 3-for-5 from the ninth spot in the lineup, plated Brian Austin on a deep double to left, a hit which Wencewicz lost in the lights.

In the 10th, catcher Scott Reinagel got the rally started with a one-out single, his second hit of the day. Wes Steele was then hit by a pitch for the second time. Matt Bollinger, who also had two hits, provided what would prove to be the game-winning hit with an RBI single. Friend followed with another RBI single, Wencewicz doubled then Scott Wittenborn, who pinch hit in the ninth inning, drove home the final run of the game with his second hit of the game, a single to right field.

Though Notre Dame came up with the two big innings, Jackson was in control through the first six frames.

Pitcher Josh Hopkins, who threw a no-hitter in the district tournament last year, held the Bulldogs in check before running out of gas in the seventh, walking the bases loaded.

The only runs scored against him in the first six innings was a two-run homer off the bat of Wencewicz.

"He really deserved to win," said Jackson coach Sam Sides. "I probably should've taken him out. But he's been throwing since January, not just since the beginning of practice."

Hopkins also provided half of his team's offense.

Hopkins, a southpaw on the mound and at the plate, launched an opposite field grand slam off of Notre Dame starter Brian Obermann in the second inning. The shot was part of a five-run inning which gave the Indians a commanding 7-0 lead.

"We had them down, but we didn't put them away," said Sides. "We could've got a run here or there and we didn't do it. That was the biggest thing of the game. We let them off the hook. I was pleased, though. We had a chance to win the game."

Obermann, Notre Dame's top pitcher last year, couldn't find the plate. He walked four and hit a batter while giving up seven runs in just two innings of work.

"Brian will come around and he'll be fine," said Graviett. "His breaking ball was sharp, he just didn't have control with his fastball. He hasn't had the work he probably should've had as far as live pitching and I'll take the blame for that."

Scott Eftink came in and pitched two solid innings of relief before Josh Eftink came in and shut down Jackson in the final six innings.

Josh Eftink got the win, giving up one run on four hits and four walks. He struck out 10.

Lance Limbaugh suffered the loss for Jackson. He gave up seven runs on 10 hits.

Jackson got two hits from Toby Freeman and Hopkins.