NOTRE DAME, CAPE CENTRAL WIN OPENERS IN BIG EIGHT TOURNAMENT

The Oran Eagles have the Perryville Pirates to thank after a first-round beating in the Big Eight Tournament Friday.

While the Pirates were nowhere to be found, the taste of their upset victory over Notre Dame earlier this week still lingered in the mouths of the Bulldogs.

Led by a 4-for-4, six RBI performance by Wes Steele, including a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, Notre Dame blasted Oran 15-3.

"I needed to pick it up after going 0-for-6 the last two games," said Steele. "We were coming off an embarrassing loss to Perryville and coach (Jeff) Graviett challenged us, especially the seniors, to come out and play hard the rest of the season."

Notre Dame (12-4) did just that in advancing to today's 10 a.m. semifinal contest against Eureka at Notre Dame H.S. Eureka defeated Harrisburg (Ill.) 7-1 on Friday. In other first-round games, Cape Central downed Mehlville 6-1 and Mount Vernon defeated Owensville 7-5. Cape Central will face Mount Vernon at noon in today's other semifinal game at Cape Central H.S..

In today's consolation play, Oran and Harrisburg will meet at 10 a.m. at Cape Central, while Mehlville and Owensville will play at noon at Notre Dame.

Against Notre Dame, Oran (8-6) jumped to an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning.

But the Bulldogs, who took batting practice immediately after Wednesday's 2-1 loss to Perryville, came roaring back with four runs in their half of the first inning off Oran starter Philip Seyer.

Leadoff hitter John O'Rourke slapped a single to center field to get Notre Dame rolling. After Timmy Wencewicz sacrificed O'Rourke to second, the Bulldogs strung together four consecutive base hits. Josh Eftink doubled to left field, bringing O'Rourke around to tie the score at 1-1. RBI singles by Wes Steele and Scott Reinagel, followed by a double off the bat of Tommy Wencewicz pushed the score to 4-1.

Notre Dame added three runs in the second inning, two in the third, three in the fourth, and three in the fifth to round out the scoring.

Notre Dame finished with 15 hits, including two apiece by Eftink, Tommy Wencewicz, Matt Bollinger and Todd Friend.

"It was our best offensive showing of the year," said Graviett. "The team was frustrated after the Perryville loss. I feel they have rededicated themselves to staying focused and hungry for the last two weeks of the season leading up to the district playoffs."

Brian Obermann recorded the complete game victory allowing five hits, issuing two walks, and striking out three.

Oran, a late entry into the tournament, managed to score two runs in the top of the fourth.

Cape Central 6, Mehlville 1

Riding a nice pitching performance by Justin Cook, the Cape Central Tigers beat Mehlville by a score of 6-1 at Capaha Field.

Cook (6-2) had a perfect game going into the fifth inning, before giving up a base hit. He allowed one other hit, a double in the seventh, which Mehlville turned into their lone run of the game.

"It was a well played, fast-paced game," said Cape Central coach Steve Williams. "Our defense was outstanding, particularly third baseman John Snider who had lots of chances and fielded his position flawlessly."

Center fielder Josh McIntosh had a big two-run homer in a three-run third inning to pad the Tigers' 1-0 lead. Central, which had six hits on the game, added two runs in the fifth.

Cape Central's season record rose to 13-5. Mehlville fell to 6-10.