Notre Dame faces test of quickness in quarterfinal

The Notre Dame Bulldogs go up against the essence of their sport today when they face Lutheran South in a Class 3 quarterfinal game.

Notre Dame (21-6) will be playing fast-pitch softball against one of the fastest pitchers around in Kamin Hawkins.

Hawkins is a senior fire-baller familiar with the quarterfinals. Last year she struck out 14 batters in a perfect game against Perryville, sending the Lancers into the state semifinals where they lost to Helias.

For Lutheran South (24-5), it will be a third straight quarterfinal appearance. The Lancers squeaked out a 2-1, eight-inning victory over Owensville in Wednesday's sectional round. Hawkins (15-3) played the main role, allowing only two hits and striking out 17 batters.

She enters today's 2 p.m. game at the Ballwin (Mo.) Athletic Association Complex with a 0.23 ERA and has struck out 206 batters in 120 innings, or almost 12 batters a game.

Of Lutheran South's 24 wins, 17 have been shutouts. The run scored by Owensville was the first the Lancers surrendered in five games.

"The reason they're a good team is because they have a good pitcher," Notre Dame coach Chris Janet said. "She's a power pitcher, throws hard. That's her game. But, we've got a really good-hitting lineup."

Notre Dame, led by the .416 average of sophomore shortstop Whitney Ostendorf, has six players hitting better than .300. Stacy Schwartz (.344), Ashley Reinagel (.338), Laura Weismueller (.333), Sara Berkbigler (.313, 23 RBIs), Alana Weissmueller (.309), Sarah Michel (.295) and Stacy Seyer (.279) all contribute to form a lofty .309 team batting average.

"The key for us is that we need to put the ball in play," Janet said. "We've got to test their defense and put some pressure on their defense because they're not used to that. It's pretty easy to play defense if a girl strikes out 12-15 batters a game. That's going to be a big key. And I'm really confident we've got the hitters that can do it."

The Bulldogs banged out 12 hits in their 6-0 sectional victory over Festus, their seventh straight victory.

They also received another strong outing by junior pitcher Lindsay Reinagel (19-5, 1.30 ERA). Using good location and effective change of speeds, Reinagel has shattered her previous school record of 13 wins in a season.

"She doesn't strike out as many as the Hawkins girl, but they're not going to put good aluminum on it and we're going to make plays behind her," Janet said.

Lutheran South's top hitters are Maggie Auble (.436), who leads the team with 25 RBIs and two home runs, and Jessica Kamp (.321, 19 RBIs).

Notre Dame is making its second straight quarterfinal appearance. The Bulldogs won their first district title last year in Class 2 and eventually lost to Clopton in the quarterfinals.

"It's pretty satisfying to get bumped up to Class 3 and be back in the quarterfinals again," Janet said.

jbreer@semissourian.com

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