NOTRE DAME BLASTS KELLY 11-1

The Notre Dame Bulldogs battered the Kelly Hawks 11-1 at the Notre Dame Sports Complex on Monday.

Getting good offensive production from the top of the order, the Bulldogs (2-3) pounded 14 hits in the game which was halted in the bottom of the sixth by the 10-run mercy rule.

Notre Dame, just back from a weekend tournament in Arkansas where it went 1-2, was looking to build momentum in the young season.

"We saw some great ballclubs this weekend and we played better and better each game," said Bulldog coach Jeff Graviett. "We talked about not falling back down off that hill we're trying to climb."

The Bulldogs scored one in the first, four in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, Notre Dame ended it when Andrew DePeder singled sharply through the hole at short to drive home Shane Kistner with the game winner. Kistner had drawn a walk to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a single by Timmy Wencewicz.

Leading the Notre Dame offense was third baseman Lance Dohogne who went 3-for-3 with four RBIs. DePeder chipped in with three safeties and drove home two runs, while Todd Friend, Kyle Dively and Wencewicz added two hits each. All but two of the Bulldogs' hit total were singles.

Defensively, the Bulldogs were flawless.

"I told the kids I was more proud of the fact that we didn't make any errors and turned two or three double plays today than the 14 hits.

Notre Dame starter Scott Eftink, the winning pitcher, and reliever Lee Essner combined on a two-hitter, each allowing one hit. The lone Kelly run was charged to Eftink when Jon Heuring singled in the fourth inning to drive home Drew Moore. Moore had reached on a walk and moved to second when Eftink hit Tyler Schlosser with a pitch.

Kelly (0-3) has yet to get its offense untracked. The Hawks have scored only five runs in their three losses.

"Right now I don't have any answers," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "We've got to hit the ball. I don't know if it's discipline at the plate, confidence or what."

Notre Dame played without one of its key players, shortstop/pitcher John O'Rourke, who is day-to-day with a slight bicep tear that he aggravated over the weekend.