Notre Dame softball team passes test in win over Chaffee

When the Notre Dame and Chaffee softball teams put each other on the schedule, it was to provide a stiff test. In many ways, both teams got that on Wednesday.

In an early-season battle of 2015 final-four squads, it was the bigger school that prevailed, with the Class 3 Bulldogs pushing through to an 8-4 victory over the Class 1 Red Devils at Notre Dame High School.

After Bridgette Swinford smacked a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning to pull Chaffee even at 3, the hosts responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs on three hits, a walk and an error to go up 5-3 and hold on to the lead for good.

The visitors drew within one in the top of the sixth, but the Bulldogs cushioned their advantage with a big bottom half to secure the win.

"Chaffee is a tremendous team," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said. "I knew we were going to have a fight, and it was a one-run game going into the bottom of the sixth. We had our hands full with them today."

Chaffee catcher Bailey Wiseman tags out Notre Dame's Hallie Bollinger at the plate during the second inning Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 at Notre Dame Regional High School.Fred Lynch

Outside of a lone, uncharacteristic error, it was Notre Dame's defense that led the way, turning three double plays in the game, including a key 5-3 double play in the top of the fourth that extinguished what looked like a big Chaffee fire.

"We knew defense was going to be one of our strengths, and I think it showed today," Graviett said. "Overall, I thought we played defense tremendously well, and we're very excited. Especially the double plays were huge and executed to perfection.

"We talk about all that time -- controlling the damage. You get in a bad situation and you know you're probably going to give up some runs, but you limit it as much as you can. Our focus is to get the first out before you try to get the third out. They stayed focused and did a good job of figuring ways to get out of that inning without giving up many."

The Red Devils loaded the bases with no outs in the inning but managed just one run -- when Madeline Hendrix drew a bases-loaded walk to push in Bailey Wiseman for her team's first run of the day. That was all the visitors got, thanks to a line drive to the pitcher before Notre Dame turned two.

Ultimately, Chaffee rued the missed opportunity for more.

Chaffee's Bridgett Swinford is congratulated by teammates after her two-run homer against Notre Dame during the fifth inning Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 at Notre Dame Regional High School.Fred Lynch

Hendrix took the loss in the pitcher's circle on a day that saw three different pitchers and four pitching changes for the Red Devils (0-2). Hendrix threw one inning of relief -- the fifth -- and gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits.

Kylie Wilhite started and ended the game, going a total of three innings and being charged with three runs on seven hits with one walk. Carlie Milz threw two relief innings, giving up three runs on three hits with one walk.

Wiseman was 2-for-4 with a run scored, Hendrix was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored and Hallie Bollinger went 2-for-2 with a run scored from the final spot in the batting order.

Notre Dame's bats were paced by a 4-for-4 day from Madison Landeros, who had three runs scored, one driven in, a double and a stolen base. Abby Rollet went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run. She also had a double and a walk.

Lily Dohogne (two RBIs), Abba Estes and Holly Reinagel each had a pair of hits for the Bulldogs (2-0).

Notre Dame's Morgan Duschell beats out a bunt against Chaffee to reach first base during the first inning Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016 at Notre Dame Regional High School.Fred Lynch

The home side's Ali Lynch got the pitching victory, throwing all seven innings and giving up three earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out two.

The game remained scoreless in the early going, but Notre Dame got on the board first in the bottom of the third. Morgan Duschell and Landeros led off with back-to-back singles before Rollet lifted a high ball that kept sailing, bouncing off the top of the outfield fence and going over for a three-run homer and a 3-0 lead.

Chaffee cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth as back-to-back singles from Wiseman and Sydney Walker put two on before consecutive free passes pushed in a run for the Red Devils and made things 3-1.

Notre Dame stranded a runner at third in the fourth -- the first of three straight innings in which it did so -- which left the door open for Swinford to pull a 1-1 pitch over the left-field wall for a tie game.

But the hosts found an immediate response, as Landeros opened the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff double before scoring on a Dohogne single just inside the third-base line. Dohogne then moved to third on an error and scored on a groundout off the bat of Payton Friga.

Trailing 5-3, Chaffee got one back when Hendrix singled and scored on an error, but the Bulldogs held on.

In the top of the sixth, Reinagel singled and scored on a Landeros bunt hit, and she, in turn, moved to third on a Rollet double before scoring on a sacrifice bunt by Dohogne. That doubled up the Red Devils for the final score.

Chaffee will look for its first win of the season when it hosts Jefferson (Festus) at 4:30 p.m. today. Notre Dame returns to the field Monday in a home rematch of last year's Class 3 title game with Warrenton. The Warriors won that game 12-2.

Chaffee coach Brian Horrell was unavailable for comment.

Chaffee 000 121 0 -- 4 9 2

Notre Dame 003 023 x -- 8 13 1

WP -- Ali Lynch. LP -- Madeline Hendrix. 2B -- Madison Landeros (ND), Abby Rollet (ND), Holly Reinagel (ND). HR -- Bridgette Swinford (C), Abby Rollet (ND). Multiple hits -- Chaffee: Bailey Wiseman 2-4, Hendrix 2-2, Hallie Bollinger 2-2; Notre Dame: Landeros 4-4, Rollet 2-3, Abba Estes 2-2, Reinagel 2-3.