Lady Bulldogs advance in softball play

Notre Dame knocks off Twin Rivers 3-1 to advance to Class 2A quarterfinals.

BROSELY, Mo. -- Notre Dame High School's softball team scored three runs in the first inning and the game was never really in doubt thereafter as the Lady Bulldogs got another brilliant pitching performance from Mika Williamson and beat host Twin Rivers 3-1 in a Class 2A sectional game Wednesday.

Williamson had a perfect game going into the fifth inning. She ended up allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out 12.

The Lady Bulldogs, continuing their best season ever, did not commit an error as they improved to 25-3 and advanced to Saturday's quarterfinal round for the first time in school history.

Notre Dame scored three runs in the first inning and threatened to score in several other innings.

Tracie Kluesner reached on a bunt single in the first and was tripled home by Williamson. Stacy Schwartz singled home Williamson and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Laura Weissmueller.

Schwartz and Williamson had two hits each.

"We played well," Notre Dame coach Chris Janet said. "It was a tough game. We already beat them 10-0 this year but they played better defense this time. Their pitcher doesn't throw hard so we had to be patient up there."

Notre Dame will play the winner of a sectional game between Clopton (21-4) and Linn (7-18) at noon Saturday at the Ballwin Athletic Complex in the St. Louis area.