JACKSON -- The schedule says it's the start of the high school baseball season, but Notre Dame's Nathan McGuire looked like he was in late-season form Monday afternoon.

And that meant bad news for Jackson.

McGuire allowed just four singles -- and only five baserunners total -- as the Bulldogs routed the host Indians 9-0 in the 1997 opener for both squads.

A senior righthander, McGuire worked the full seven innings with ease and was never in trouble. He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

"I didn't expect to be that sharp this early in the season," said McGuire. "My forkball and curveball were working well. I was just trying to keep them off balance."

McGuire was an extremely productive player for last year's district championship team at Notre Dame, batting .315. He also pitched well, but he didn't reach the mound all that often because the Bulldogs relied mainly on seniors Lanson DeBrock and Ben LeGrand.

This season, McGuire and fellow senior righty Chris Canfield -- who was also impressive in limited mound duty a year ago -- figure to be the leaders of the Bulldogs' pitching staff.

"Last year we let the seniors do it," said McGuire with a smile. "Me and Chris are looking forward to this year."

Said Notre Dame coach Gregg Muench of McGuire's performance, "He's thrown not quite that good in practice. But he's pitched on the varsity the last two years and he's played Legion ball. He knows how to pitch."

McGuire wasn't the only Bulldog to shine Monday as virtually the entire Notre Dame squad was impressive.

Offensively, the Bulldogs banged out 10 hits. Keith Hamm, the No. 9 batter in the order, doubled twice, singled and was hit by a pitch in his four plate appearances.

Freshman Josh Eftink had two hits, including a double, while Trent Summers singled twice and Dirk Dirnberger delivered a two-run double that helped break the game open.

Defensively, the Bulldogs made just about all the routine plays and even a couple of tough ones while committing just one error.

"I was excited with the way we played," Muench said. "I was excited about our defense and we hit the ball well. We even had some hard-hit balls that were caught."

While Muench beamed after the game, Jackson coach Sam Sides didn't have all that much to smile about, although he did acknowledge that season openers often are fairly rough.

Jackson looked good over the first four innings, which ended with Notre Dame ahead 1-0. But the Indians made five errors over the next two innings as the Bulldogs exploded for eight runs -- only one of them earned.

"We played well for about four innings, then we just kind of blew up," said Sides. "I thought we broke down mentally. We let one thing affect something else."

Losing pitcher Josh Adams had good stuff, but he was hurt by his defense and Notre Dame also came though with some solid hits. In five innings, Adams allowed eight hits and six runs (two earned). He fanned six and walked three.

"I thought Josh pitched well but the defense let him down," Sides said.

Chris Leimer gave up three unearned runs while striking out the side in one inning of work. Jason Goben hurled one scoreless frame.

Justin Gladish had two of Jackson's four hits.

Notre Dame will be right back in action today, visiting Sikeston. Jackson returns to action Wednesday, hosting Ste. Genevieve.