NOTRE DAME PINS DOWN 1ST `W' OF SEASON

JACKSON -- A high school sophomore isn't supposed to have this kind of composure. But the situation was nothing new for Notre Dame left-hander Brian Obermann.

Trailing by three runs, Jackson loaded the bases with no outs in the last inning Friday. But Obermann came out unscathed, finishing a 5-2 win at Jackson City Park by striking out Jackson's No. 4 hitter Todd Wessel.

"I usually get in that situation," Obermann said, "so I'm kind of used to it. That always happens in the last inning.

"But don't get me wrong -- I was a little nervous. But I came through alright. I thought I threw well. I didn't throw very many pitches. That allowed my arm to stay strong the whole game."

Obermann uses control to compensate for a lack of velocity. In seven innings, he allowed no earned runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking one.

In the seventh inning, Jackson's Andy Callis led off with a single. Jason Goben drew a walk and lead-off hitter Justin Gladish singled to load the bases.

Tory Meyr then hit a dribbler in front of the plate, which Obermann fielded and threw to catcher Scott Reinagel to force out Callis at home. The next batter, Travis Stevens, hit a shot to center field, which a charging Ryan LeGrand caught around his ankles. Obermann then fanned Wessel on a full-count pitch.

"Brian did an outstanding job," said Notre Dame coach Gregg Muench. "We have a lot of confidence in him."

Said Jackson coach Sam Sides: "We had the right guys up there, but it just didn't work out for us. I think they were trying a little bit too hard. Todd struck out, but he was trying too hard, probably."

Jackson's Chris Schlick went the distance and took the loss.

Jackson (1-1) took advantage of two errors by Notre Dame and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Indians' other run came in the sixth frame as Tory Meyr singled and was driven in by Ben Turner.

Notre Dame (1-2), which totaled eight hits, scored three runs in the third inning and two in the fourth.

In the third, LeGrand had an RBI double and Wes Steele and Josh Eftink each added RBI singles.

"Ryan LeGrand probably got the biggest hit of the season," Muench said, "even though we haven't played but three games, because of the fact that's the first time this season that somebody's put the ball in play with some authority with men on base. I was really excited about that.

LeGrand and Steele each drove in runners in the fourth inning while reaching on fielder's choices.