Riding a 6-0 start, Notre Dame's softball team will try to make it a lucky seven when the Bulldogs make the short trip to Central today for a 4 p.m. game.
The Bulldogs shut out the Tigers earlier this season 4-0 behind a six-hitter from ace pitcher Lindsay Reinagel.
"I'm sure they're going to be fired up," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said of Central.
Graviett, previously Notre Dame's baseball coach and softball assistant, took over the softball program when Chris Janet left the school in the summer, and the Bulldogs have continued their winning ways.
Graviett said the defensive play of his team has keyed its early start.
"I think that's the strength of our team," he said.
"I'd say our defense has definitely played a big part," catcher Laura Weissmueller added.
In six games the Bulldogs have allowed four runs, including three shutouts. Two-time all-state pitcher Reinagel has started four of the six wins and will look to improve on her 19-6 record last season.
While Reinagel's 92 strikeouts in 147 innings may not be an overwhelming number, she walked only 17 in that span.
"I don't worry about them hitting it," she said. "I know I have a defense behind me that can make plays."
After two straight trips to the state quarterfinals, the Bulldogs will try to stretch their early momentum throughout the season.
"We have very high expectations," Reinagel said.
The players say they aren't looking too far ahead with a little more than a month left in the season.
"I think we've been playing every game like it's our quarterfinal game," Weissmueller said.
Central shows progress
After years of playing musical coaches at Central, volleyball coach Maile Gannon looks to have the Tigers moving in the right direction.
The Tigers dropped a pair of tight two-game losses to start the season before splitting two matches the opening night of the SEMO Conference Tournament. The Tigers split with Scott City 25-19, 19-25 and with New Madrid County Central 26-24, 24-26.
The Tigers ended up reaching the finals of the tournament before losing to Scott City. The Tigers' next test will come at the B.A. Sports Volleyball Tournament this weekend. Central is in a pool with defending Class 1 state champion Leopold.
College notes
Murray State University freshman volleyball player Holly Jansen, last year's Southeast Missourian Player of the Year from Leopold, appeared in the team's first three matches and had two kills. St. Vincent alum Daniel Sutterer, a junior transfer from Shawnee Community College, had four kills in the first three matches.
Jackson graduate Tory Meyr, a senior defensive back for Washington University in St. Louis, had seven tackles -- including one for a loss -- in the team's 32-29 season-opening loss. Meyr was picked for the UAA all-academic team last season.
Central graduate J.P. Limbaugh had three receptions for 44 yards in Quincy's 24-7 home loss Saturday to McKendree. Limbaugh has 11 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in two games.
Ashlie Voerg, a Central graduate, scored the game-winning goal for Indiana State in its Missouri Valley Conference soccer opener Sunday against Evansville. Voerg's goal was good enough to earn her MVC offensive player of the week. Indiana State improved to 1-1 and 1-0 in conference play.
jjoffray@semissourian.com
335-6611, extension 171
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.