‘Never-say-die' Lady Cats gave it their all

By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

PARK HILLS - There were a few skeptics who thought that they shouldn't even be in the Class 3 Sectional game with their 15-7 record playing a 25-2 team, but the Fredericktown Lady Cats quieted those thoughts as they played the Notre Dame Lady Bulldogs straight up for seven innings, falling only 60 feet away by a score of 5-4.

The Lady Cats trailed 5-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, and after the lead-off batter struck out, it looked to be the end of Fredericktown's season.

However, Tasha Moore worked a ball four count on Notre Dame's pitcher Beth Schnurbusch, and pinch hitter Caitlin Gifford beat out an infield single to set up the top of the line-up for the Lady Cats with Moore scampering all the way to third on the play. The game-ending pressure seemed to be getting to the Lady Bulldogs.

Amy Hendrix, who had tripled earlier, hit a ground ball to score the run, but the first baseman could not hold on to the throw and the rally continued with only one out. Johnna Tinnin hit a sharp single that loaded the bases. Lindsey Wagganer hit a hot shot to first base, which the defender could only get Wagganer on the play as Gifford scampered home.

A ground ball hit by pitcher Jenni Kemp looked like a game-ender, but the shortstop booted the ball and Hendrix scored with Tinnin moving up to third base on the play. The game would end with Tinnin stranded there as the next batter bunted and was thrown out at first.

Both defenses stood strong through the first four innings of play despite a few errors. Both teams were able to get runners into scoring positions often, but each time the defense held firm and the runners were left on base. Only in the bottom of the third inning did a runner score.

Hendrix led off the inning with a triple and on a ground ball hit by Wagganer, Hendrix raced home for the 1-0 lead for Fredericktown. It wouldn't be until the fifth inning that Notre Dame would answer.

Allison Peters reached base on a single and two wild pitches and an error tied the game at 1-1. Erica Reinagel, who had reached on the error, stole second and was driven in on a double by Kristain Burger, her second in the game.

The Lady Bulldogs pumped their score with three more runs in the sixth inning. This time singles by Bailey Reutzel, Courtney Osterdorf and Eden Ellison and a wild pitch would help all three players score. Notre Dame tried to add more to their score in the seventh inning after a single by Miranda Schlosser, but Schlosser was gunned down by Moore with a strike by the catcher to Hendrix at second base.

Both pitchers kept the game in reach for their team. Kemp struck out eight batters and only allowed three earned runs, and Schnurbusch struck out nine and only gave up two earned runs. Both pitchers threw well over 100 pitches with Kemp throwing 81 strikes out of 125 pitches and Schnurbusch throwing 69 strikes out of 113 pitches.

Fredericktown finishes their season at 15-8, and Notre Dame advances to the state quarterfinals this Saturday against Sullivan.

Notre Dame 000 023 0 - 5 7 4

Fredericktown 001 000 3 - 4 4 2

Pitching: WP- Schnurbusch 7i 4r 4h 9k 4bb, LP- Kemp 7i 5r 7h 8k 2bb.

Hitting: ND- Schlosser, Reutzel, Osterdorf, Ellison, Peters, 2b- K Burger 2. F- Tinnin, Ward, Gifford, 3b- Hendrix. LOB- ND 5, F 7.