ND STATE CHAMPS

Reinagel threw a perfect game to lead her team to the state title.

Thanks for following along. Check Sunday's Missourian for a full recap of the action. I'm off to talk with some players then make the long drive back to Cape.

Mid 7th: ND 3, Kirksville 0

Reinagel is back in the circle for the seventh.

Sanders delivered a single to left field with two outs to score an insurance run. The Bulldogs are three outs from a state title.

Reinagel was throwing while her team was batting, and Notre Dame had another pitcher warming up, too. She's too far away for me to see who it is. I believe it was Katie Bond.

End 6th: ND 2, Kirksville 0

Reinagel retired the side in order, but she took a liner off what looked like her hand for the final out. She knocked down the ball and made the throw to first in time, but she was shaking her hand as she ran into the dugout.

Mid 6th: ND 2, Kirksville 0

Notre Dame had a great chance to add some insurance, with runners on first and third with one out, but Bishop got Glaus to pop up a bunt to her and Glastetter struck out.

Reinagel hit a foul ball that almost became intimate with my face, but the reporter from the paper in Kirksville made a nice catch. Admittedly, I was ducking, not looking to show off my lead paws.

End 5th: Nd 2, Kirksville 0

Kirksville put the ball in play this inning, but Morrill was up to the task at short. Morrill cleanly fielded a pop up and a grounder, and Reinagel struck out the final batter to end the inning.

The Notre Dame coaching brain trust is just outside the dugout, and assistant Ray Reinagel, Lauren's father, looks pretty calm. Jeff Graviett has his arms folded and is walking in little circles.

Mid 5th: ND 2, Kirksville 0

Savanna Ayers came through with a bunt single to second. Pinch-runner Ashton Elfrink stole second and scored on a bunt single to second by Hali Rendleman.

On a side note, there are train tracks that go right behind the park. There is a train stopped and the engineer is out of the locomotive watching the action.

End 4th: ND 1, Kirksville 0

Reinagel responded by striking out the side, all swinging. She's up to 10 Ks.

Mid 4th: ND 1, Kirksville 0

Bishop just allowed her first earned run of the season, a solo homer to left field off the bat of Reinagel. After fouling off a few pitches, Reinagel connected for the solo homer.

End 3rd: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Reinagel retired the Tigers in order, posting two more strikeouts. She's now tied with Bishop with eight Ks through three innings.

Mid 3rd: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Bishop's consecutive strikeout streak ended at eight when Sanders popped up a bunt to Bishop. Notre Dame is swinging but coming up empty.

End 2nd: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Reinagel is changing speeds well, too. She's striking out batters, but the difference is that she's getting punch outs swinging, while Bishop is getting them swinging and looking. Reinagel has struck out five through two.

Mid 2nd: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Bishop's changeup is filthy. Notre Dame isn't coming close to touching it. Every out she'd recorded has been by strikeout - three looking, three swinging.

End 1st: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Reinagel came close to matching Bishop with two strikeouts in the opening frame. Both strikeouts were swinging and Glaus had to throw to first on both Ks.

Mid 1st: ND 0, Kirksville 0

Kirksville pitcher Jackie Bishop is doing a nice job of changing speeds. It looks like Notre Dame isn't picking up the ball very well. Bishop struck out the side, with two of them looking. Mallory Siebert did get an infield single, an excuse-me swing. But Morrill and Reinagel struck out.

All right, both teams have finished warm-ups and the teamsa re exchanging lineup cards at home plate. Notre Dame will be the visiting team.

Notre Dame's starting lineup today. No surprises ...

1) Brianne Sanders LF

2) Mallory Siebert CF

3) Jane Morrill SS

4) Lauren Reinagel P

5) Alecia Glaus C

6) Brooke Glastetter 3B

7) Savanna Ayers 1B

8) Summer Burger 2B

9) Hali Rendleman RF

We're going to be getting a little bit of a late start since they're still working on the field. No worries.

Pregame

Notre Dame has taken the field and is warming up, as is Kirksville. Notre Dame is playing on a different field today, so the casino won't be the backdrop for the game. For those familiar with St. Joe, the park is right behind the casino. I did not partake in the action last night.

There's a good crowd on hand today. There were more Platte County fans than Notre Dame fans at yesterday's game, but it looks like Notre Dame will be well-represented today.

Greetings from St. Joseph, Mo., again. The Bulldogs are warming up on a side field, getting ready for today's Class 3 title game against Kirksville.

The weather is much improved, with some sun and little wind. It's much warmer, too. A perfect day for softball. Keep checking back for updates throughout the game.