Notre Dame fends off Festus to advance to softball quarterfinals

FESTUS, Mo. -- Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett called it the biggest pitch of the game.

Good thing the Bulldogs made it.

Bulldogs ace Katie Bond coaxed a bases loaded ground out in the bottom of the fifth inning, and Notre Dame held on to knock off Festus 3-1 in Wednesday's Class 3 sectional matchup.

"Biggest pitch of the game," Graviett said.

The Tigers turned what seemed to be a harmless fifth inning to a nerve-racking situation for the defending Class 3 state champions.

Notre Dame's Brandi Glastetter safely slides into home as Festus pitcher Mollie Carter tries to cover the plate during the second inning of their Class 3 sectional game Wednesday in Festus, Mo. (Kristin Eberts)

Lauren Robinson led off with a single but was erased on a double play.

Jayme Sauer started a two-out rally with a single up the middle.

Festus then coaxed two walks to load the bases for its three-hole hitter Jessie Pratt.

Bond got the senior to ground out to end the threat.

"That was really exciting," Notre Dame shortstop Summer Burger said. "We all have so much confidence in Katie."

Notre Dame's Jessica Menz, left, Molly Johns and Veronica Moore celebrate their team's 3-1 victory over Festus on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs had a rough first inning.

Brianne Sanders reached second base to lead off, but Notre Dame failed to push her across the plate.

The Tigers took advantage.

Courtney Neff reached on a one-out error and Mollie Carter smacked an RBI single two batters later to put the Tigers up early.

"That's tough to play from behind," Graviett said. "But the way these girls have handled it this year has been fantastic. That first run is key, but this group didn't let it get to them."

Notre Dame's Summer Burger throws to first after getting out Festus' Amanda Davis at second during the sixth inning of a Class 3 Sectional game on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, in Festus, Mo. Notre Dame won 3-1. (Kristin Eberts)

The Bulldogs failed to get rattled.

Brandi Glastetter reached first on a one-out walk and took second on a wild pitch to spark a wild top half of the second inning.

Hali Rendleman singled off the pitcher's glove to make it first and third then stole second to put two runners in scoring position.

Carter, Festus' ace, got Ashton Elfrink to pop up a sacrifice bunt attempt to make it two outs, but then Carter doomed herself.

The sophomore threw a wild pitch to the backstop that allowed Glastetter to score and the catcher's throw got past Carter to allow a speedy Rendleman to score to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.

Notre Dame's Summer Burger slides safely into third base as Festus' Sarah Weidner drops the ball during the third inning Wednesday. (Kristin Eberts)

"With that kind of pitcher, we wanted to push the issue," Graviett said. "This time of year making mistakes cost games. With our speed on the bases, we can make things happen."

Added Burger: "That was really key. One run does a lot."

Notre Dame tacked on another run with a two-out rally in the fourth.

Elfrink reached on an error and Sanders drove her in with a single two batters later.

The Bulldogs made the lead stand up behind a stellar defensive effort.

Notre Dame's Brianne Sanders makes the game-ending catch as teammate Summer Burger, left, looks on during the seventh inning of Wednesday's Class 3 sectional game in Festus, Mo. Notre Dame won 3-1.

Notre Dame turned a double play in the third to erase a one-out single.

The Bulldogs turned another double play in the fifth and made a huge play in the sixth.

Carter led off the sixth with a single. Sarah Weidner grounded into a fielder's choice and Kelsi Patek walked to put runners on first and second. Sami Horrell hit what appeared to be an RBI single up the middle with two outs, but Burger made a diving effort to knock it down and the second baseman Elfrink picked up the ball with a foot on the bag to get Notre Dame out of the jam.

The play was one of several impressive efforts by Burger.

"Defense is my favorite aspect of the game," Burger said. "We made some really nice plays. If those get through, they might score a few runs and might take the lead."

Added Graviett: "That was only her second error. I've never coached a shortstop with a number that low. She does a tremendous job. She's very solid."

The Bulldogs had little trouble closing out Festus in the seventh, getting one game closer to a return to the final four.

"We have nothing to lose this year," Burger said. "A lot of nerves turn into excitement once we hit the field. We just try and leave it all out there."

Notre Dame 020 010 0 -- 3 6 1

Festus 100 000 0 -- 1 6 3

WP -- Katie Bond. LP -- Mollie Carter. Multiple hits -- Notre Dame; Brianne Sanders 2-4, Summer Burger 2-3; Festus; Mollie Carter 2-3.