Bulldogs score four runs in third inning on way to 6-3 win over Jackson.

By David Wilson ~ Southeast Missourian

Notre Dame scored four runs in the third inning on its way to a season-opening 6-3 over Jackson on Monday at Legion Field in Jackson, Mo.

"Anytime you can get a win on opening day, you'll take it," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said.

The Bulldogs (1-0) were leading after the first inning when Matt Wulfers hit a solo home run on his first swing of the season off of starter Austin McDowell.

McDowell, who was Jackson's most reliable pitcher last year, had a rough start. He was yanked in a four-run third after walking in a run and then giving up a two run double to Matt Smith.

Last year McDowell led the team in pitching with a 2.59 ERA.

"He's not where he needs to be right now," Jackson coach Sam Sides said. "I think he'll be fine after he gets a few more games under his belt."

In the bottom of the third, Jackson answered with three unearned runs. Notre Dame made back-to- back errors to start the inning and later committed a third as Jackson struck for all its runs.

"We felt like our defense was going to be our strong point this year and we just had one disappointing inning," Graviett said.

Graviett said he doesn't expect it to be a problem throughout the rest of the season.

McDowell's counterpart Jeff Brosey worked four innings, gave up three runs, three hits, walked one, and fanned two.

Lee Essner relieved Brosey in the bottom of the fifth and allowed a pair of hits to the first two batters he faced. Essner then struck out seven of the next nine batters.

"They just outpitched us," Sides said.

Tyler Profilet and Tim Stearns each singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Profilet reached third on Stearns' single and tagged up on a ball hit by Brandon Gendron. But Dustin Tatum threw out Profilet at home to maintain a 5-3 lead for the Bulldogs.

"We had opportunities offensively ... it really just came down to one inning," said Sides, referring to the Notre Dame third.

The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the fifth.

Brosey went 2-for-4 at the plate with three stolen bases and one RBI. Wulfers' only hit was the home run but he scored once more in the third. Smith went 1-for-4 with two RBI's and a run scored.

Jason Meystedt had two singles and an RBI for Jackson.

McDowell went only 2 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs. He walked four and struck out one.