Kynna Johnson's three-hit game lifts Notre Dame past Poplar Bluff

Notre Dame sophomore Kynna Johnson swings through a leadoff single for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the first inning against Poplar Bluff on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Johnson went 3-for-4 in the ball game.

Kaiden Karper ~ kkarper@semoball.com

Notre Dame sophomore Kynna Johnson found herself in an early-season slump entering Tuesday’s game. The promising third baseman was hitless in her previous two starts and was just 2-for-13 in her last six.

When Johnson stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the first inning against Poplar Bluff on Tuesday evening at Notre Dame High School, she felt like her normal self — patient, focused, confident.

Hitting leadoff for the Bulldogs, Johnson watched the first pitch go by. Strike one. Then she felt it. Notre Dame anticipated it. That is when Johnson belted a grounder to the Poplar Bluff shortstop and beat the throw to first, earning the first of eight hits for Notre Dame on the day.

Johnson went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the game to spark Notre Dame’s 5-2 route over the Lady Mules and improve to 7-4 on the season.

Johnson credited her improved mechanics and rejuvenated confidence as the biggest reasons for the breakout performance.

“I was just really trying to cut the bat in the ball,” she said. “I knew I needed to start getting my swing level right. I have been struggling in the past with a bad swing, so I've been really trying to focus on getting my swing down pat. I was feeling pretty confident out there today.”

Notre Dame (9-4) continued to roll following an emphatic 4-3 walk-off win over Doniphan on Monday night. Tuesday’s game came down to senior pitcher Taylor Kutz’s ability to keep the base paths clean and the hot-hitting lineup’s continued production at the plate.

Along with Johnson’s involvement on the base paths, slugger Lauren Estes went 1-for-2 at the dish with two RBIs and a walk. Senior Colleen Jimerson remained dangerous at the plate, tallying a pair of RBIs as well.

Defensively, Kutz added another quality outing to her ledger after a three-strikeout, four-hit complete game against Poplar Bluff (4-5). The performance marked Katz’s 13th consecutive game with at least one punch out on the mound.

Poplar Bluff’s Lillie Johnson drove in a run on a fielder’s choice in the top of the fourth to spark a two-run inning for the Lady Mules.

Notre Dame, who is looking to extend its three-game winning streak, will return home for a 4:30 ball game against North County tomorrow, Sept. 18.