FINAL: ND 4, Platte County 2 at Class 3 final four

That's all for the semifinal as Notre Dame wins 4-2. Check back later at semoball.com and semissourian.com this afternoon for a story on today's game. I'm off to talk with some players. Thanks for following the action.

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Mid 7th: ND4 Platte 2

Pypes rebounded to shut down the Bulldogs with three strikeouts.

Notre Dame is three outs away from a spot in the title game.

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End 6th: ND 4, Platte 2

Brianna Corwin blasted a two-run homer to center field to cut the Bulldogs' lead in half. Graviett went out for a visit to the circle after the blast but didn't stay long.

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Mid 6th: ND 4, Platte 0

Mallory Siebert came through with a single to center to drive in another one. That's her third hit of the game.

Notre Dame had the bases loaded with one out and got one.

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End 5th: ND 3, Platte 0

Oh those sneaky Bulldogs. Glaus picked off a Pirates runner off third with two outs. Morrill sneaked behind the runner and Glaus fired a shot for the final out of the inning.

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Mid 5th: ND 3, Platte 0

Reinagel had a one-out single to right, but courtesy runner Ashtion Elfrink was erased trying to steal second.

Pypes still is going strong. She's struck out eight.

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End 4th, ND 3, Platte 0

Reinagel stranded runners on second and third when she struck out Molley Cantu.

Glastetter took a shot to the midsection on a one-out smash, but remained in the game. With it being so cold, that HAD to hurt a lot.

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Mid 4th, ND 3, Platte 0

The Bulldogs got a couple more on two hits and some nifty bunting. As promised, Graviett put the pressure on the defense. Savanna Ayers and Summer Burger earned RBIs in the inning.

Notre Dame had runners on second and third with one out and loaded the bases with two outs but couldn't get more.

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End 3rd: ND 1, Platte 0

Reinagel set down the Pirates in order. She's doing a nice job of changing speeds so far. She's struck out four.

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Mid 3rd, ND 1, Platte 0

Siebert had her second hit of the game, but she again was stranded on first.

Pypes has struck out five so far.

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End 2nd, ND 1, Platte 0

Platte collected a hit, but she was erased trying to steal second. The Bulldogs pitched out and Glaus gunned her down. It was a nice throw down to Morrill, who applied the tag. Reinagel struck out a pair.

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Mid 2nd, ND 1, Platte 0

The Bulldogs got a run by putting some pressure on the Pirates. Alecia Glaus walked and the Platte catcher tried to pick her off first but threw it into right field. Glaus hustled over to third and the throw to third got away, so Glaus came home.

Graviett said he wanted to put the pressure on the other team. It worked this time.

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End 1st, scoreless

The Pirates got a runner in scoring position after an error and stolen base, but Reinagel coaxed a fly ball to left to end the inning.

Fly balls could get interesting with the wind today. It's blowing in from right.

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Mid 1st, scoreless

Mallory Siebert collected a one-out single, but she was stranded. Notre Dame didn't try any aggressive baserunning in the first.

Haley Pypes' riseball looks as good as advertised.

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The Bulldogs will be the visitors today. Here's ND's starting lineup ...

1. Brianne Sanders LF

2. Mallory Siebert CF

3. Jane Morrill SS

4. Lauren Reinagel P

5. Alecia Glaus C

6. Brooke Glatstetter 3B

7. Savanna Ayers 1B

8. Summer Burger 2B

9. Hali Rendleman RF

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There already was a little miscommunication with the Notre Dame lineup. Apparently Jane Morrill, the Bulldogs' No. 3 hitter, wasn't on the umpires' lineup. After checking the program, she was given the OK. Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett looked a little nervous for a minute or two there. Morrill is one of the Bulldogs' power hitters. She batted .441 with five homers and 35 RBIs this season.

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The Bulldogs are taking infield practice. There are a lot of ear warmers being sported today. It's drizzling a little bit, which could put a damper on the live blogging. I don't think anyone at the Missourian would be real happy if I wreck the computer.

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Greetings from a chilly and damp Heritage Park in St. Joe. Notre Dame and Platte County are in the preliminary stages of warming up. It could take a while as there a stiff wind and the temperature when I left the hotel a few minutes ago was 41 degrees.