Notre Dame downs Kelly in error-filled softball contest

The scoreboard read 11-6 under runs, but the more telling column was 4-2 under errors.

Notre Dame took advantage of four Kelly errors to help it overcome two of its own and knock off the visiting Hawks 11-6 on Monday evening.

"Both teams struggled," Bulldogs coach Jeff Graviett said. "I guess we're the fortunate team to win, but both teams have a lot to shore up for the postseason."

Uncharacteristic of both teams, balls were being booted, dropped and bobbled throughout the contest.

The errors cost both teams opportunities to end big innings.

Notre Dame's Katie Bond connects in the sixth inning Monday, September 27, 2010 as the Bulldogs take on Kelly at Notre Dame Regional High School. (Laura Simon)

"It's hard to overcome," Kelly coach Melanie Heuring said of committing four errors. "We came back and scored six runs, but the errors cost us. It should have been a lot closer than what it was and maybe a different outcome."

The shaky defense was on display early.

The Bulldogs went to work in the bottom of the first inning with help from Kelly.

Brianne Sanders walked to lead off but was erased trying to steal second. Summer Burger singled and Savanna Ayers reached safely on a fielder's choice after Kelly (12-7) failed to throw out Burger at second on a ground ball.

Jessica Menz then roped a double to deep center field that was misplayed by the Hawks' center fielder that put Notre Dame up 2-0.

Notre Dame's Ashton Elfrink fields a grounder as Kelly sophomore Sydney Vinyard advances to second base during the third inning Monday. (Laura Simon)

After a fly out, walk and hit batter, the Bulldogs (20-0) had the bases loaded with two outs.

Ashton Elfrink hit a grounder to the right side that was misplayed and resulted in two more Notre Dame runners crossing the plate and put Kelly in a 4-0 hole.

"Notre Dame always has a good team," Heuring said. "You have to play your best, and we had too many errors that cost us tonight."

The Hawks quickly responded.

Haley Glastetter led off the top of the second with a single to start a Kelly rally.

Notre Dame's Jessica Menz winds up for a throw to first baseman Brandi Glastetter to pick off a Kelly player in the third inning Monday, September 27, 2010 at Notre Dame Regional High School. (Laura Simon)

After a pop up to the shortstop, Sydney Vinyard ripped a double into a gap to put runners on second and third with one out.

Jessica Worth coaxed a walk to load the bases and put pressure on the Bulldogs.

Notre Dame ace Katie Bond struck out the next batter, but the top of the Hawks lineup got the best of her.

Emily Grojean singled off Bond's glove to plate a runner, and Kaitlin Glastetter lined a single up the middle to make it 4-2.

The Bulldogs appeared to be out of the inning when Bond got Jade Rampley to hit an infield popup, but the Bulldogs dropped it and the Hawks plated two runs to tie it.

Kelly senior Kristien Powell winds up to pitch to a Notre Dame player Monday, September 27, 2010 at Notre Dame Regional High School. (Laura Simon)

"We got nervous," Notre Dame first baseman Brandi Glastetter said of the defensive miscues. "It's one of those big games, a conference one."

Added Heuring: "Our girls have done that all year. But it was too much to overcome. I was proud of them for coming back and getting those four after they [Notre Dame] scored their four."

Notre Dame wasted little time getting back the lead.

Sanders and Burger led off the bottom half of the second with back-to-back infield singles before Ayers bunted them to second and third.

Menz then walked to load the bases for Glastetter.

Notre Dame's Jessica Menz connects for a double during the first inning Monday.

The sophomore delivered.

Glastetter lined a shot up the middle to score Sanders and Burger, and the ball sneaked under the center fielder's glove, allowing Menz to score and Glastetter to take third.

"It feels good," Glastetter said of producing runs. "Going to state last year really helped to push me this year."

Glastetter eventually scored on a squeeze bunt to make it 8-4.

"I've been around this game a long time," Graviett said. "And you have to get to good teams and good pitchers early. And we got to them early tonight. It helped us relax and gain confidence."

The Hawks refused to go down quietly.

Glastetter reached on a leadoff error, Kristen Vetter reached safely on an infield single and Vinyard was hit by a pitch to set the stage for Kelly in the third.

Worth and Marissa Menz hit back-to-back RBI groundouts, but Burger made a diving infield catch to limit the Hawks to two runs.

The Bulldogs pounced in the fifth.

Sanders and Burger reached on back-to-back singles and both stole a base to make it second and third with one out.

Once again, the Hawks' defense cost them.

Ayers hit a ground ball back to Kelly's pitcher, Powell, who tried to get Sanders at third but threw it under the third baseman's glove, allowing Sanders to score, Burger to take third and Ayers to move to second.

Glastetter came up big again two batters later.

The first baseman laced a double down the left-field line that plated two runners and gave Notre Dame an 11-6 lead.

"That's tremendous to see," Graviett said of Glastetter. "It adds another weapon. She has speed, she can bunt and she can hit gaps. The five hole is the most important. You know what the three and the four hole bring, but you want the five hole to clean up the mess. She stepped up and did it tonight."

The Hawks failed to muster any offense past the third inning.

The Bulldogs were celebrating senior night, honoring their lone senior, Courtney Reinagel.

Kelly 042 000 0 -- 6 8 4

Notre Dame 440 030 x -- 11 11 2

WP -- Katie Bond. LP -- Kristen Powell. 2B -- Jessica Menz (ND), Sydney Vinyard (K), Brandi Glastetter (ND). Multiple hits -- Notre Dame; Brianne Sanders 3-4, Summer Burger 3-4, Glastetter 2-4, Bond 2-3; Kelly; Emily Grojean 2-4, Haley Glastetter 2-4. Records -- Kelly 12-7, Notre Dame 20-0.