Notre Dame tames Jackson to extend softball winning streak

~ The Bulldogs won their eighth straight to open the season

The Notre Dame softball team suffered heavy graduation losses from last year's squad that won the Class 3 state championship.

But the Bulldogs haven't missed a beat so far.

Notre Dame improved to 8-0 with Wednesday's 4-1 victory over host Jackson.

"It's a lot different team. We lost five great seniors," Notre Dame junior left fielder Brianne Sanders said. "But most of us played together in the summer. As of now I think we're doing great."

Jackson catcher Katie Garner tags out Notre Dame's Brianne Sanders as Sanders slides into home during the sixth inning Wednesday in Jackson. (KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com)

Added junior pitcher Katie Bond: "I knew we had good players. We all play summer ball together and I knew we had a good team."

While the Bulldogs graduated plenty of talent, including dominant all-state pitcher Lauren Reinagel -- who threw most of the innings last year -- coach Jeff Graviett knew his cupboard wasn't bare.

"We knew we were returning some key elements and we've got a lot of speed," Graviett said. "To come out of the gates like this, I'm pleased."

Although the junior-dominated Bulldogs have just one senior, they did return four starters from 2009. That group is led by Sanders, all-state as a sophomore when she batted .432.

Sanders, off to a hot start this season, went 3 for 4 with an RBI and run scored Wednesday.

Notre Dame's Katie Bond pitches during the fifth inning of a game on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, in Jackson. Notre Dame defeated Jackson 4-1. (Kristin Eberts)

Asked if it's realistic for the Bulldogs to make a run at a second consecutive state title, Sanders said: "That's always a goal, but right now we're just taking it one game at a time."

Junior shortstop Summer Burger, another returning starter, went 2 for 2 with a walk and a sacrifice.

Perhaps nobody has been more important to Notre Dame's strong start than Bond, the winning pitcher in all eight games so far.

Bond, who received only a handful of varsity innings behind Reinagel last year, is excited to be the Bulldogs' ace this season.

"I kind of expected to be the main pitcher, but it's really exciting," said Bond, who added two hits Wednesday. "I think I'm doing really good. I keep improving every game."

Jackson's Brooke Whitledege, left, looks to throw to first after getting out Notre Dame's Summer Burger on a force out at second as Jackson's Courtney Burger, center, backs up the play during the fifth inning of a game on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, in Jackson. Notre Dame defeated Jackson 4-1. (Kristin Eberts)

Said Graviett: "You always worry about pitching, but Katie has picked up -- you hate to say where Lauren left off -- but she's done really well so far."

Bond, working all seven innings, allowed five hits and an unearned run. She struck out five, walked none and hit a batter.

Even though the Bulldogs kept their record perfect, it was not an easy win as a young Jackson squad put up a battle.

"They're always tough on us," Graviett said. "We always get their 'A' game."

The Indians (3-7), who started three sophomores and a freshman, made several impressive defensive plays and trailed just 1-0 after five innings.

"I was pleased with the way we played," Jackson coach Amanda Forester said. "We just didn't get that big hit, but overall I thought we played well.

"It's just a matter of getting the experience with the younger kids."

Speedy sophomore center fielder Demesha Huddleston went 3 for 3, including two infield singles on ground balls where she simply beat throws to first base. Huddleston also threw out a runner at home plate.

Junior catcher Katie Garner went 2 for 2 as she accounted for Jackson's other hits.

Garner drove in Huddleston in the sixth inning for the Indians' only run and also gunned down two Bulldogs attempting to steal.

"They made some plays," Graviett said.

Jackson freshman pitcher Mallory Jones, who also went the distance, allowed 13 hits but four of those were bunt singles.

"Bunting and running, that's the key to our success," Graviett said.

Notre Dame grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Sanders led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Burger and came around on a two-out single by junior third baseman Jessica Menz.

The Bulldogs went ahead 4-0 with a three-run sixth inning that featured five hits, including an RBI double by junior second baseman Ashton Elfrink and an RBI single by Sanders.

Jackson answered with its lone run in the bottom of the sixth.

Notre Dame 001 003 0 -- 4 13 2

Jackson 000 001 0 -- 1 5 1

WP -- Katie Bond, 8-0. LP -- Mallory Jones. 2B -- Ashton Elfrink (ND). Multiple hits -- Notre Dame: Brianne Sanders 3-4, Summer Burger 2-2, Bond 2-3. Jackson: Demesha Huddleston 3-3, Katie Garner 2-2. Records -- Notre Dame 8-0, Jackson 3-7.