Notre Dame softball team advances to Class 3 championship with win over Lafayette

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Notre Dame and Lafayette (St. Joseph's) softball teams were tied at 3 after five innings of their Class 3 state semifinal at the Killian Softball Complex on Friday.

The Bulldogs plated eight runs in the top of the sixth and held on for an 11-3 victory that secured their spot in Saturday's Class 3 championship game.

"It's what we talked about from Day 1 of practice. We set our goals high," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said. "That's what I told them out there -- they're going to be one of two teams left in the state of Missouri playing, being in the last game tomorrow. Really excited and really looking forward to the opportunity tomorrow."

The Bulldogs trailed 3-0 after the first inning after the Fighting Irish capitalized on two hits and a throwing error.

ND cut it to 3-2 in the top of the second and tied it 3-3 with in the top of the fourth when Payton Friga scored on a passed ball.

Friga led off the big sixth inning for the Bulldogs and after fouling off several pitches and working a full count she singled to left.

Morgan Duschell was hit by a pitch and Christina Scherer singled to load the bases. Madison Landeros sent an 0-2 pitch to left for a bases-clearing double that put ND up for good at 6-3.

Lily Dohogne, Abby Rollet and Maddie Urhahn recorded RBI hits before Lafayette even recorded an out.

Lafayette was retired in order in the final two innings.

Haylie Santos started and pitched the complete game for ND. She allowed three earned runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

Notre Dame will face Warrenton, which defeated Helias Catholic 15-3 in the other semifinal, at 4 p.m. Saturday for the title.

Complete coverage of the game on semoball.com later.