Reinagel will play softball at Southeast Missouri State

Former Notre Dame standout pitcher Lauren Reinagel was rewarded with a dog after leading the Bulldogs to the Class 3 state title as a senior.

There won't be any outlandish gifts waiting after Thursday's accomplishment.

"Maybe a new glove," she said. "That's what we're talking about now. I've got to have something to play with."

Reinagel will continue her softball career at Southeast Missouri State. She signed her letter of intent Thursday after playing at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Mo., for the last two seasons.

"Growing up, it was home, Southeast was," she said. "So I'd always felt I would go there. Everything happens for a reason, and it all just fell into place. I can't be happier."

Reinagel said she talked with Southeast coach Lana Richmond about two weeks ago, and they set up a meeting. The two had talked two years ago about the possibility of Reinagel joining the Redhawks as a freshman, but the timing wasn't right.

"I decided to go to a smaller level and get some more experience before stepping up to that big level," Reinagel said.

Reinagel went 19-8 with a 1.73 ERA as a sophomore at Three Rivers. She struck out 146 and walked 40 over 190 innings. She also proved more than capable at the plate. She batted .413 with five homers and 62 RBIs in 62 games.

"We are excited to get Lauren into a Redhawk uniform," Richmond said in a release. "She is very consistent around the strike zone and has a great changeup. Lauren is a competitor and does not back down from a challenge."

Reinagel said she planned to visit Southwest Baptist and Williams Baptist but decided the opportunity to play at Southeast was the right one.

"So much support around this area," she said.

Reinagel cemented her legacy at Notre Dame in the state title game as a senior. She pitched a perfect game and belted a solo home run to left field against a pitcher who had not allowed an earned run all season. The victory secured Notre Dame's only state title in softball.

She wasn't ready for her softball career to end after her sophomore season at Three Rivers.

"I was unsure of what I wanted to do, if I wanted to continue playing or if I wanted to go back to school and figure out what I wanted to do," she said. "I couldn't leave. I couldn't quit doing what I do."