Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett reflects on final game at Busch Stadium

Another seminal stop on the farewell tour.

Notre Dame's fifth game at Busch Stadium is also the final time for head coach Jeff Graviett, who is retiring from the position at the conclusion of the season.

"I think it's slowly starting to sink in," Graviett said.

Graviett will continue his role as athletic director, and there will likely be more games at the home of the St. Louis Cardinals in the Bulldogs' future, but it's the last time he will stand in the dugout and besides third base in that ballpark.

"It's our fifth time here and every time it just sits for me," Graviett said.

Notre Dame tied with Jerseyville 1-1 in a nine inning game that means so little to the team's season outlook but at the same time means so much to the players.

"It's just phenomenal seeing the kids' smiles," Graviett said. "One of my kids said it's the first time he'd been here, even for a game, which blew my mind. Just to think about the experience for all these guys get an opportunity to play, it's what it's all about."

In 1997 Graviett began coaching the baseball team as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach in 1999. He has led the Bulldogs to 11 district championships and two state titles in five final four appearances.

Adjacent to the championships, Graviett's legacy will be tied to opening the gates of Busch Stadium to not only the Bulldogs, but other area schools such as Cape Central, Chaffee, and Jackson.

This is why he said of his five appearances at Busch Stadium, "The first one is always special."

"Nobody had done it in our area," Graviett said. "One of the things I'm most proud of in my 20+ years of coaching is that first trip because we did that and now a lot of teams in our area have now come up here, so we really opened that up and getting kids in our area the opportunity to play up here."

Senior Cole Lemons went 2-for-4 at the plate and started the game on the mound, throwing two perfect innings with three strikeouts. Seven Notre Dame pitchers were on the mound during the game, including the Morgan brothers. Senior Wil followed Lemons with two innings, allowing the only run in the game on three hits while Reid, a sophomore, walked three batters but got out of the jam to escape the inning without a hit or run surrendered.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” Wil Morgan said on Saturday, April 22. “This is the first year that we’ve been able to play on the field at the same time, and it’s an awesome feeling. I just know how happy my parents are watching us out on the diamond together, and that’s an incredible feeling for me. The Morgan brothers have been holding down both corners of the infield this year, and that’s something I’ll always remember. I’m also super proud of Reid for making it this far on the team at such a young age. It’s been really cool to watch him grow as a key player on the team.”

Nicholas Gaeta drove in the Bulldogs' only run in the game in the eighth inning on a single. Graviett said the objective during the game was to get as many players, both varsity and junior varsity, on the field as possible.

"It's fun watching the process develop, watching those guys get their opportunities," Graviett said. "It's a win-win no matter what the score or outcome is."