SECTIONAL APPEAL: AREA TEAMS 2 GAMES FROM FINAL FOUR; NOTRE DAME BRINGS SIZZLING BATS INTO 2A SHOWDOWN VS. SENATH

Notre Dame's leadoff hitter has three home runs.

It's No. 9 hitter has two.

And somewhere in between there are 20.

With the way the Bulldogs (20-4) have been crushing the ball lately, Senath-Hornersville pitcher Jonathan Binkard had better be on top of his game.

If not, the Senath Lions (19-7) won't stand much of a chance when the two teams meet today in a 4:30 p.m. Class 2A sectional baseball game at Notre Dame High School.

Notre Dame has drilled some of the best pitchers in this part of the state the past two weeks, including: Chaffee's Tommy Stidham and Matt Stroup in the district championship game; Kelly's Justin Simpher in the district semifinal; Advance's Garrett Broshuis who is going to the University of Missouri as a pitcher; and Clearwater standout Jamie McAlister.

"We just want to keep it going," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett.

And Senath wants to stop it.

It was somewhat of a surprise when the Lions emerged from District 1.

Not that Senath isn't a strong team, but the heavy favorite -- state-ranked South Pemiscot, which Notre Dame beat in dramatic fashion last year -- was shocked by Hayti in extra innings of the semifinals. Senath then knocked off Hayti 9-1 to advance to the sectional round.

Senath coach Randy Smith said he believes his team's strength is its pitching.

Binkard will get the nod today.

"Binkard is very comparable to Stidham," said Graviett. "He'll get up there and throw strikes and work quickly."

Said Smith, "He throws fairly well (velocity), but he's more of a control guy. He throws a lot of strikes. To beat Notre Dame, we'll have to have good pitching."

Binkard and Chris McClain are both headed to Three Rivers Community College as position players next year. They provide most of the punch in the Lions lineup, though Smith didn't know what they were batting or how many home runs they had hit.

"I don't even know," he said. "We just play."

"Those are two outstanding players," said Graviett. "They're both position players and pitchers and both are tremendous athletes."

Senior left-hander Brian Obermann will get the start for the Bulldogs. Obermann is 6-1 with a 2.40 earned-run average.

Mark Ostendorf has a better record (9-1) and ERA (1.87) than Obermann, but Graviett said Ostendorf hasn't been feeling well lately. Besides, in the last half of the season, Obermann has been just as effective as Ostendorf.

Graviett also said that Obermann bounces back faster than Ostendorf so if the Bulldogs win today, then Obermann could pitch an inning or two Saturday. The winner of Notre Dame and Senath will play either Clearwater or Hartville.

Slugger Josh Eftink headed to Southeast Missouri State next year is the team leader in batting average (.471) home runs (9) and is tied with Wes Steele for the team-high in RBIs with 34.

Steele has been Notre Dame's silent weapon this season. Batting cleanup behind Eftink, Steele has burned opposing pitching for a .468 average and three home runs.

"Wes has had a tremendous season for us considering his lingering injuries from soccer and with the loss of his father," said Graviett. "He's been unbelievable."

Leadoff hitter John O'Rourke and first baseman Matt Bollinger are also batting in the .400s at .429 and .410, respectively.

Notre Dame's hottest hitter may be right fielder Todd Friend, who has batted in the ninth spot most of the season.

He had two home runs in the district championship and has had six RBIs in his two postseason games this year.

But as well as Notre Dame has been hitting, Graviett wants to guard against overconfidence.

"Last year, we thought we were good and we thought we were headed to state," said Graviett. "Then South Pem had us down to our last out before we won."

In that game last year, Steele hit a game-winning, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to preserve Notre Dame's season.

If Notre Dame wins today, it will definitely have to play the quarterfinal game on the road.