Farmington bats sink Notre Dame with three home runs

Farmington pitcher Elly Robbins hits a two-run home run during fifth inning softball action against Notre Dame on Wednesday in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

FARMINGTON – A collectively confident approach at the plate on Wednesday started with an all-state presence atop the Farmington batting order.

Elly Robbins finished 4-for-4 with four extra-base hits and four RBI, and the Knights walloped three home runs on their new turf field to blister longtime nemesis Notre Dame 11-0.

Jayce Jarvis and Avery Graham also homered, and Farmington (4-2, 2-0) enacted the mercy rule after scoring in all five frames.

Farmington shortstop Jayce Jarvis connects for a two-run home run during first inning softball action against Notre Dame on Wednesday in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Emilee Gillam finished 2-for-3 with a double, and Jarvis began her own 2-for-3 performance by crushing the first pitch she saw from right-hander Taylor Kutz over the left-center fence.

Graham highlighted a three-run third frame with a lofty solo shot that hugged the third-base line and stayed fair while clearing the needed distance.

Jocelyn Grimes circled the bases when her bunt was thrown high for an error and lead runner Audrie Morgan drew a second throw that skipped past the covering center fielder.

The Knights carried a 5-0 advantage into the third inning, and Robbins protected it from the circle by pitching a three-hitter with eight strikeouts.

Notre Dame (6-3, 1-1) threatened with runners at second and third during the fourth inning on a double by Jacie Smith and single to right by Ava Miller that Morgan struggled to locate in the bright sun.

Robbins caught the ensuing batter looking for a key second out, and escaped danger on a questionable ruling by the field umpire near second base when a slight check swing was appealed.

Farmington added three more runs against reliever Lauren Estes in the bottom of the third. Gillam and Graham singled after Shelby Bowling was hit by a pitch.

Robbins made it 8-0 when her third straight double produced two RBI and plugged the left-center alley. Doubles by Jarvis and Gillam added another tally in the fourth.

Farmington third baseman Avery Graham hits a solo home run during second inning softball action against Notre Dame on Wednesday in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Grimes slapped an opposite-field single with one out during the Farmington fifth. Robbins reset from a borderline strike call to drive a 1-2 offering from Kynna Johnson for a two-run homer to center.

The Knights are in action this weekend at the Seckman Tournament, including a daunting opener against Washington and second pool game Friday against Festus.

Notre Dame entered this season facing a rebuild after several seniors from a district championship team graduated and longtime head coach Jeff Graviett retired.

The Bulldogs finished with four errors, but second baseman Cierra Landewee made a nifty stab to retire Knights catcher Jayden Tucker on a sharp ground ball.

Avery Wagoner led off the game with a sharp single to right-center. Her attempt to bunt for another hit in the third was thwarted as Robbins charged and made an accurate twisting throw.

Tucker lost an at-bat on a foul ball in the second inning when umpires discussed and determined that first-base coach Mike Lamb obstructed the path of a pursuing fielder.

Farmington second baseman Olivia Hartupee fields a ground ball and retires a Notre Dame batter during fourth inning softball action on Wednesday in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

Farmington outfielder Jocelyn Grimes reaches first base safely after her bunt drew a high throw during second inning softball action against Notre Dame on Wednesday in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)