NOTRE DAME EYES 2A DISTRICT CROWN

After winning the Class 2A, District 2 Tournament title last year, Notre Dame High's Bulldogs once again look to be head and shoulders above the competition as the tourney begins today in Scott City.

The SEMO Conference champion Bulldogs (21-3) will be riding a 12-game win streak as the No. 1 seed in the district. But a host of other quality teams will be looking to knock off the top team in the area.

No. 2 seed Scott City, No. 3 Kelly and No. 4 St. Vincent all played the Bulldogs close this season before falling. Chaffee (No. 5), East Prairie (No. 6) and Woodland (No. 7) round out the field.

"I hope we play as good as we can play; then I feel we'll have a great chance to win based on how things have gone this year," said Notre Dame coach Gregg Muench. "I'll just tell the kids to go and play the way they have and we'll be all right."

Notre Dame has been led by the pitching of senior Nathan McGuire and the hitting of freshman third baseman Josh Eftink. McGuire has proven to be the top pitcher in the area with a 10-0 mark and one save. In 61 innings, he's struck out 91 and walked nine with a minuscule earned run average of 0.80.

Eftink has been remarkable in just his first year of varsity baseball. The freshman phenom leads the Bulldogs with seven home runs, 34 RBIs, four triples and a batting average of .429.

Chris Canfield (5-3) has been a solid No. 2 pitcher and is the Bulldogs' leadoff batter. Dan Wittenborn (.363), Trent Summers (.377), McGuire (.329) and freshman Tommy Wencewicz (.371) are all batting over .300.

Scott City (12-5) has three quality pitchers in its arsenal which could help propel the Rams to the finals. Jason Landis, Tim Lowery and Justin Braun have all proven themselves on the mound this year. The Rams lost to Notre Dame twice this season, 3-0 and 5-3.

Kelly (10-9) will rest its hopes heavily on the bat of Denver Stuckey. Stuckey leads the Hawks in nearly every offensive category, batting nearly .500.

Stuckey is also one of the top pitchers for the Hawks, along with Jim Hulshof and Justin Vetter.

St. Vincent (14-8) was a little upset with the low seed it received at the coaches meeting. The Indians earlier in the season beat Kelly 9-7 and were expecting a second or third seed behind Notre Dame.

Jonathan Wengert leads the Indians' attack with a .462 batting average three home runs and 18 RBIs. Bryan Meyer (.389, 18 RBIs) is also counted on for run production. Josh Leible (.368) is the top pitcher for St. Vincent.

Chaffee (5-15) won only one game against district foes this year, splitting with East Prairie (6-8).

Action will get started at Scott City Park today at noon with Kelly and East Prairie squaring off. Scott City and Woodland will follow at 2 p.m., and St. Vincent and Chaffee will battle at 4 p.m.

Notre Dame has a bye to the semifinals and will play the winner of St. Vincent and Chaffee in action Tuesday. The final is set for Thursday at 4 p.m.

District Baseball

Class 4A, District 1

At Cape Central

Tuesday's Games

Jackson vs. Poplar Bluff, 4 p.m.

Wednesday's Games

Cape Central vs. Jackson-Poplar Bluff winner, 4 p.m.

Sikeston vs. Farmington, 4 p.m. (at Capaha Park)

Thursday's Game

Championship, 4 p.m.

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Class 2A, District 2

At Scott City Park

Today's Games

Kelly vs. East Prairie, noon

Scott City vs. Woodland, 2 p.m.

St. Vincent vs. Chaffee, 4 p.m.

Tuesday's Games

Notre Dame vs. St. Vincent-Chaffee winner, 2 p.m.

Kelly-East Prairie winner vs. Scott City-Woodland winner, 4 p.m.

Thursday's Game

Championship, 4 p.m.

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Class 1A, District 2

at Oran

Today's Games

Bell City vs. Delta, 12:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge vs. Advance, 2:30 p.m.

Valle vs. Scott Central, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday's Games

Oran vs. Oak Ridge-Advance winner, 2:30 p.m.

Bell City-Delta winner vs. Valle-Scott Central winner, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday's Game

Championship, 4:30 p.m.