ND rolls into quarters

Leadoff hitter Erika Reinagel admitted that before a game starts, Notre Dame hitters think about scoring a lot of runs early to enact the 10-run mercy rule.

That way the Bulldogs only have to play five innings instead of seven.

"Before we start the game," Reinagel said, "we're always like, 'Let's end this earlier. Let's get on top in the first inning.' We usually, most of the time, do that."

Why shouldn't Bulldogs players think about the 10-run rule? They have won 14 of their 26 games by 10 or more runs and average 9.6 runs per contest this season.

Notre Dame had another one of its typical offensive performances Wednesday, routing North County 14-0 in a Class 3 sectional contest at Notre Dame Regional High School.

The Bulldogs (26-0) advanced to play in a Class 3 quarterfinal Saturday at the Ballwin Athletic Association. They will face the winner of today's sectional contest between Affton (20-7) and Westminster Christian Academy (16-4).

While the Bulldogs' bats have remained on fire, pitcher Lauren Reinagel continued her dominance. The junior right-hander recorded her ninth no-hitter and fourth straight. Reinagel, who also has two perfect games, struck out four and walked three to improve to 25-0 this season and 53-1 as a varsity pitcher.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Notre Dame's Brooke Glastetter catches a ground ball and throws to first for an out in the third inning of the Class 3 Sectionals against North County at Notre Dame Wednesday.

Reinagel has tossed two no-hitters against North County in the past week and a half.

With Notre Dame's hitting and pitching being equally strong, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 250-11 this season.

Jeff Graviett has been a coach at Notre Dame for nine years, and this is his sixth as softball head coach. He said this year's lineup is the best of any batting order he has put together in his time at the school because there isn't a weak link.

Graviett said that once the order reaches the No. 6 hitter, it's like it returns to the top of the lineup because the bottom is just as capable as the top.

Notre Dame's Alex Fowler throws to first for an out during the fourth inning Wednesday.

"We want to feel like we're starting all over with a new lineup [once we reach the sixth spot]," Graviett said. "Our hitters are that good. Tonight we brought two girls off the bench who got hits. So we've got some girls who can swing the bats and we don't really have seven, eight and nine hitters on this team."

Notre Dame entered Wednesday's sectional showdown batting .411 as a team. Everyone in its lineup was batting at least .314, and seven starters were hitting .409 or better.

Speedy senior Paris Burger was added to the No. 2 spot in the lineup this fall after sitting out with an ACL injury last year. Not only did Burger's addition put more speed at the top of the order, it also allowed Graviett to move senior Britney Schott, who batted second last year, to the No. 7 spot.

"I asked her [Schott] to bunt and do a lot of those things [last year], but she's more of a pure hitter," Graviett said. "And we've seen a lot of that. I've had the ability to move her down in the order to drive in runs and she's having a much better year offensively."

Notre Dame's Brooke Glastetter connects for a base hit during the fifth inning Wednesday at Notre Dame.

Schott has produced in the No. 7 spot, batting .487 with one home run and 28 RBIs.

Schott had another big day against North County, going 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored.

With Notre Dame leading 1-0 in the second inning, Schott delivered a two-run double to make it 3-0. It was part of a six-run rally that put the game out of reach.

"I feel I'm more aggressive," Schott said about hitting seventh. "I have more opportunities to swing away. ... I enjoy swinging more.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Notre Dame's Jane Morrill steps on second for an out and throws to first for a double play during the third inning Wednesday.

"We just keep pouring on the runs. I think we're just so aggressive with our bats. We're just on a hot streak. Hopefully we can continue."

Notre Dame banged out 18 hits, including four or more hits in four of the five innings.

Six players had multiple-hit performances, including Jane Morrill and Brooke Glastetter who each added two-run singles to pad the lead.

"We're a better team this year," said Erika Reinagel, who went 2-for-3. "We've been practicing [hitting] a lot, especially this summer with the 18-and-under [team]. We've seen a lot of pitching -- good pitching. ... We all hit consistently. It doesn't matter where you are in the lineup."

Notre Dame 162 23 -- 14 18 1

North County 000 00 -- 0 0 3

WP -- Lauren Reinagel, 25-0. LP -- Katie Gibson. 2B -- Alecia Glaus (ND), Mallory Siebert (ND), Britney Schott (ND), Reinagel (ND), Brooke Glastetter (ND). Multiple hits -- Notre Dame: Erika Reinagel 2-3, Jane Morrill 2-3, Alexis Ralls 2-3, Schott 3-4, L. Reinagel 2-4. Glastetter 3-4. Records -- Notre Dame 26-0, North County 20-4.