Notre Dame edges Cape Central for third place in SEMO Conference Tournament

After falling behind early, the Notre Dame Bulldogs battled back to beat the Cape Central Tigers 9-7 on Monday in the third-place game of the SEMO Conference Tournament at Capaha Park.

Cape Central would score the game’s first two runs as Bulldogs starter Jack Evans didn’t have his command early on.

After a walk and a single in the first inning, Cole Proffer drove in a run on a fielder's choice to make it 1-0 Tigers.

Another walk and a hit by pitch later, Caden Chenoweth would score on a passed ball to make it 2-0 Cape Central.

“I started off a little rocky,” Evans said. “I couldn’t locate the fastball but I figured it out in the late innings.”

Notre Dame would respond in the top of the second as Will Dodson put the ball in play and reached on an error that allowed a run to score to make it 2-1.

In the bottom of the second, the Tigers’ Cade Emmenderfer launched a two-run home run to left field to make it 4-1 Cape Central. The home run was Emmenderfer’s seventh of the season, tying the school record for most home runs in a season.

With the momentum in Cape Central’s favor, Notre Dame’s bats woke up in the top half of the third as they plated seven runs to take a commanding 8-4 lead.

“We just competed and battled,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said. “Both pitchers didn’t have their best stuff today but (Evans) managed to pitch into the fourth. It was probably the biggest difference in the game.”

The Bulldogs would tack another run on the 4th to take a 9-4 lead.

Evans would last 4.2 innings allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six.

Getting the start for Cape Central was Jathan Spain who only lasted 2.1 innings allowing seven runs on four hits and eight walks.

The Tigers entered Monday’s contest playing their seventh game in seven days.

Coming in Notre Dame wanted a patient approach at the plate in order to chase Spain from the game and force the Tigers, who were already short-handed on pitching, to go to the bullpen.

“(Spain) is a great pitcher,” Evans said. “He struggled to find the zone a bit so we knew we wanted to go up there and get our pitch.”

Notre Dame’s Will Dodson would finish the game, going 2.1 innings allowing one run on two hits and striking out three.

Will Morgan, Cole Lemons, and Brett Dohogne led the way for Notre Dame at the plate with two hits each.

Lemons and Logan Landewee drove in two runs each in the win for the Bulldogs.

Cape Central was led by Cole Proffer who went 2-for-3 with a walk and a pair of RBIs in the loss.

Cade Emmenderfer finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Cape Central (11-13) will have just a day off before the Tigers return to the diamond at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3 to take on DeSoto at Cape Central High School.

Notre Dame (11-9) will play Jerseyville High School at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 at Busch Stadium following the Cardinals’ matchup with the Los Angeles Angels.

“It never gets old,” Graviett said. “You get to see the kids smile and live a childhood dream. This will be my fourth time doing it and it’s just a fun event. It makes everybody feel like a kid. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity on Thursday.”