Bulldogs face Webb City in Class 3 semifinals

~ Notre Dame has outscored opponents 230-28 this season.

Lauren Reinagel and her Notre Dame teammates headed for the state softball tournament Thursday, but Reinagel made sure she was ready well before then.

"I have my bags packed and I'm really excited," she said Wednesday. "I packed about Saturday night when I got home."

The Bulldogs return to the final four after falling in the sectional round last year. They face Webb City, which also last made the final four in 2005. Their game is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the Purple Field at the Rainbow Softball Center in Columbia, Mo.

Kelly makes its second straight appearance in the Class 2 semifinals when it takes on Palmyra at 1:30 p.m. today at the Yellow Field at the Rainbow Softball Center.

Kelly junior Lana Whitworth hit against Crystal City during the Hawks' Class 2 District 2 championship game. (KIT DOYLE~ kdoyle@semissourian.com)

In the Class 3 semifinal, Webb City boasts a 23-4 record while the Bulldogs enter a perfect 28-0. The Notre Dame players say the pressure to remain perfect has faded to the pressure of winning a state title.

"I'm more focused on the state title than the perfect season," Bulldogs catcher Lauren Bond said. "But then it's icing on the cake."

Of course, the Bulldogs will have to remain perfect to win the state title. Reinagel has played as big a role as anyone in the 28-0 record. She's gone 27-0 with a 0.47 ERA in the circle. She's struck out 235 in 165 innings this season, but she said she won't be trying for strikeouts this weekend.

"I have to throw it so they can hit it," Reinagel said. "I have to focus. I can't have a bad day. It doesn't matter if I strike anyone out. All I have to do is let them be able to hit it so my defense can back me up."

Notre Dame doesn't rely solely on Reinagel's pitching. The Bulldogs batted .389 as a team and scored 230 runs in 28 games, an 8.2 average. Four players -- Heather Menz (21), Alexis Ralls (32), Reinagel (22) and Whitney Eftink (21) -- drove in at least 20 runs. Ralls provided the power with four homers.

The Kelly Hawks enter at 20-6 and face the defending Class 2 state champions. Palmyra defeated Westran 7-1 in last year's championship game. Palmyra enters with a 24-2 record.

Kelly has employed two pitchers this season -- juniors Heather Beggs and Jessica Riley. Coach Rhonda Ratledge won't say who she plans to start, choosing instead to wait until game day to announce her decision.

To prepare for the pitchers the Hawks will face this weekend, Ratledge brought in different adult pitchers to throw batting practice this week.

"They get used to hitting off Jess or Heather and the machine," Ratledge said. "That's not going to do us any good. They have to get in there and see someone different and faster. It's going to be a lot faster throwing than what my two girls are going to be throwing."

Kelly has relied on its bunting to create scoring chances during the playoffs. In the District 2 title game, the Hawks won the game on a bunt from cleanup hitter Casey Kern. Against East Carter in the sectional round, the Hawks laid down bunt after bunt, finishing with 12 hits in the win.

"We use those bunts to put runners on," Ratledge said. "You expect tight games like that. You don't expect blowouts at that point. It's the same way going into state. You know one run is going to win you a ballgame when you get to this point. It takes one run, so that's what we're going to focus on. We hope we're that one run."